What is an API app?
An API application is a web or mobile application that makes a software application’s programming interface available to other applications. APIs typically provide information about an organization, such as the company’s products and services, its website, and its contact information.
APIs often share functionality with other app types, such as productivity, security, and cloud storage apps. Some important API-related app types include web development apps, integration apps, and third-party developer apps. Popular examples of API-related app types include Postman and Zapier.
Examples of API apps built with Crowdbotics:
- An internal stock prediction dashboard that uses historical stock data and machine learning (ML) to predict the closing price for the Dow 30 on a daily basis.
What is the typical cost to build an API app?
An API app usually costs about $37,500 to build. However, the total cost can be as low as $25,000 or as high as $50,000. An API app with a low number of features (also known as a minimum viable product, or MVP) will be more affordable than an app that includes all intended functionality.
For example, here are some previous API app price quotes from Crowdbotics:
How long does it take to build an API app?
An API app usually takes 69 hours to build. However, an API app can be built in as few as 35 hours, or in as many as 104 hours. The exact timeline mostly depends on how complicated your specific app is. As a general rule, it will take longer if you require highly custom designs, niche features, complex logic, or non-standard release platforms.
For example, some previous API apps build with Crowdbotics received the following hourly estimates:
Not seeing what you’re looking for?
Crowdbotics has quoted and built hundreds of applications for teams of all sizes. Browse our historical estimates by industry and app type to understand possible costs and considerations.
How to successfully grow your API application
A developer API can provide a high level of value to existing app developers by helping them to integrate new features into their apps more quickly and easily. An API that is easy to use and that has an extensive library of existing integrations makes it easier for developers to create apps that use the API. This strategy can be effective because many users will adopt an app because it allows them to interact with other apps in the platform.
Risks and challenges of building an API application
An app that acts as an API for a third-party application faces a unique risk related to the liability of the third party. For example, if your app is an API for a hotel booking platform, you may be subject to legal or financial liability for any mistakes or negligence occurring on the third-party site. When building an API app, it is important to analyze the terms and conditions of your target platform and ensure that you have adequate release clauses in your contract to protect yourself from their mistakes.
