Definition
What is API Integration?
An API integration connects two or more software applications by using their application programming interfaces (APIs) to exchange data and trigger actions between them automatically.
How it works
APIs define how software systems communicate. An API integration uses these interfaces to create a persistent, automated data flow between apps. For example, integrating a payment processor API with an accounting tool ensures every transaction is automatically recorded. API integrations can be built with code or through no-code platforms like Make and n8n, which provide pre-built connectors. REST APIs and webhooks are the most common patterns. A well-built API integration handles authentication, rate limiting, error retries, and data mapping.
Last updated: March 2026