What developers should check before integrating a third-party API

A lot of API problems start before production.

The API works in a test request, the docs look fine, and the team moves forward.

Then later you find the real issues:

• vague pricing
• unclear limits
• rough auth
• weak support
• an API that works in a demo but is hard to trust in a product

That is why I think developers should evaluate trust before they evaluate convenience.

A few things I would check before integrating any third-party API:

1. Can I understand what it actually does quickly?
2. Is pricing clear enough to predict cost?
3. Is authentication documented cleanly?
4. Are rate limits and quotas clear?
5. Can I test it properly before I commit?
6. Is there any sign the provider actually maintains it?
7. If something breaks, is there accountability?

A polished landing page is not enough.
A successful request is not enough.

Trust is part of the product.

If you want a fuller breakdown, we wrote the longer version here: https://limitpear.com/blog/what-developers-should-look-for-before-integrating-an-api/