Choosing the right API for your integration needs is an important decision.
Here’s some information on most commonly used APIs, including supported protocols, data formats, communication paradigms, and use cases.
Treat this blog as a reference you can return to when you’re considering which API to use.
Here’s some information on most commonly used APIs, including supported protocols, data formats, communication paradigms, and use cases.
Treat this blog as a reference you can return to when you’re considering which API to use.
API Name
|
Protocol
|
Data
Format
|
Communication
|
REST API
|
REST
|
JSON,
XML
|
Synchronous
|
SOAP API
|
SOAP
(WSDL)
|
XML
|
Synchronous
|
Chatter
REST API
|
REST
|
JSON,
XML
|
Synchronous
(photos are processed asynchronously)
|
User
Interface API
|
REST
|
JSON
|
Synchronous
|
Analytics
REST API
|
REST
|
JSON,
XML
|
Synchronous
|
Bulk API
|
REST
|
CSV,
JSON, XML
|
Asynchronous
|
Metadata
API
|
SOAP
(WSDL)
|
XML
|
Asynchronous
|
Streaming
API
|
Bayeux
|
JSON
|
Asynchronous
(stream of data)
|
Apex
REST API
|
REST
|
JSON,
XML, Custom
|
Synchronous
|
Apex
SOAP API
|
SOAP
(WSDL)
|
XML
|
Synchronous
|
Tooling
API
|
REST or
SOAP (WSDL)
|
JSON,
XML, Custom
|
Synchronous
|