REST APIs use fixed endpoints and return predefined data structures, making them simple and widely supported. Each endpoint typically represents a resource (like /users or /products). GraphQL APIs provide a single endpoint where clients specify exactly what data they need using a query language, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching. REST is ideal for straightforward CRUD operations and caching, while GraphQL excels when clients need flexible data retrieval and multiple resources in one request. We help you choose the right approach based on your use case, client requirements, and team expertise.

We implement multiple layers of API security including authentication (OAuth 2.0, JWT tokens, API keys), authorization with role-based access control (RBAC), input validation to prevent injection attacks, rate limiting to prevent abuse, HTTPS encryption for data in transit, and comprehensive logging for audit trails. We follow OWASP API Security Top 10 guidelines, implement CORS policies, use secure secret management, and conduct security testing before deployment. For sensitive data, we add field-level encryption and implement zero-trust architecture principles.

Yes! Comprehensive API documentation is a core deliverable. For REST APIs, we provide OpenAPI/Swagger documentation with interactive testing interfaces where developers can try endpoints directly in the browser. For GraphQL, we deliver schema documentation with GraphQL Playground or GraphQL IDE. Documentation includes endpoint descriptions, request/response examples, authentication guides, error code references, rate limit information, and code samples in multiple languages. We also provide getting-started guides, authentication flows, and best practices to ensure smooth developer onboarding.

Timeline depends on API complexity and scope. A simple REST API with 5-10 endpoints typically takes 2-4 weeks from planning to deployment. Mid-complexity APIs with 20-30 endpoints, authentication, and integrations take 6-8 weeks. Large-scale APIs with complex business logic, multiple integrations, advanced security, and extensive documentation may take 10-16 weeks. We provide detailed timelines during discovery after understanding your requirements, data models, integration needs, and security requirements. Agile development allows us to deliver and test core functionality early while iterating on additional features.

Absolutely! API integration is one of our core capabilities. We connect APIs with databases (SQL, NoSQL, cloud databases), third-party services (payment gateways, CRMs, ERPs, marketing platforms), authentication providers (Auth0, Okta, Azure AD), cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP), and legacy systems. We handle data mapping, transformation, error handling, and create reliable sync mechanisms. Whether you need bidirectional sync, real-time webhooks, or batch processing, we architect integrations that maintain data integrity and handle edge cases gracefully.

We select technologies based on your requirements and ecosystem. For Node.js, we use Express, NestJS, or Fastify. For Python, we leverage FastAPI or Django REST Framework. We also work with Go, Ruby on Rails, .NET Core, and Java Spring Boot. For databases, we use PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, and cloud databases like DynamoDB or Firestore. We implement with Docker containers, deploy to AWS, Azure, GCP, or serverless platforms, and use API gateways for management. All choices are driven by scalability needs, team expertise, and integration requirements.

We implement versioning strategies that prevent breaking changes for existing clients. Common approaches include URL versioning (api.example.com/v1/users), header-based versioning, or semantic versioning for GraphQL schemas. We maintain backward compatibility during transitions, provide deprecation warnings with clear migration timelines, and document version differences thoroughly. Our versioning strategy includes release notes, migration guides, and support windows for older versions. We help you plan version lifecycles and communicate changes effectively to API consumers.

We architect APIs for performance from day one. This includes efficient database queries with proper indexing, response caching (Redis, CDN caching), pagination for large datasets, field filtering to minimize response sizes, database connection pooling, asynchronous processing for heavy operations, and optimized serialization. For scalability, we design stateless APIs, implement horizontal scaling with load balancers, use message queues for background jobs, employ database read replicas, and leverage CDNs. We perform load testing to identify bottlenecks and optimize before they impact users.

Yes, we offer ongoing monitoring and maintenance services. We implement comprehensive logging (request/response logs, error tracking, performance metrics), uptime monitoring with alerting, error tracking with tools like Sentry or Rollbar, performance monitoring (response times, throughput, error rates), and security monitoring for suspicious activity. We provide dashboards showing key metrics, automated alerts for issues, regular security updates, performance optimization, and bug fixes. Maintenance packages include SLA guarantees, 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and regular health checks.

API development costs vary based on complexity, features, and integrations. Simple REST APIs with basic CRUD operations typically start at $8,000-$15,000. Mid-complexity APIs with authentication, multiple integrations, and comprehensive documentation range from $20,000-$40,000. Enterprise APIs with advanced security, complex business logic, high-scale infrastructure, and multiple service integrations start at $50,000+. GraphQL APIs typically add 20-30% due to schema complexity. We provide detailed quotes after discovery that include development, testing, documentation, deployment, and initial support. ROI often comes from reduced development time for client applications and improved system integration.