Top 6 Free APIs to improve developer productivity
Tags: python, programming, api, opensource
Published: 2023-07-12 12:21:07

Have you ever questioned how some apps and websites smoothly interact with one another? APIs are the answer! APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, serve as an unseen link that allows different software systems to communicate with one another. They are important in our daily lives because they make things easier and more convenient. In this blog article, we will look at several [interesting API](https://newsdata.io/blog/useful-apis-for-developers/) samples and learn about their functions.

So, get ready to learn about the APIs that shape our daily life. Let's get started!

## What is an API?
An API enables various software programs to communicate and interact with one another. It serves as a link between two systems. As a result, they can communicate data, request services, and take activities in real-time.
Consider an [API](http://images.google.de/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsdata.io%2F) to be a messenger or translator that enables communication between software components. It specifies the techniques and formats through which apps can communicate with one another. As a result, a standardized and efficient interchange of information is ensured.
APIs are available in a variety of formats, including [web APIs](https://newsdata.io/blog/sdk-vs-api/), which are commonly used online. These APIs allow developers to have access to and utilise the features of web services or platforms. APIs, in essence, allow developers to exploit existing functions and services without having to reinvent the wheel. 
APIs have evolved into the foundation of modern software development. As a result, seamless integration, collaboration, and creativity across several applications are possible. They have altered how we connect with [technology](https://newsdata.io/blog/role-of-apis/). As a result, developers will find it easier to construct powerful, interconnected systems that will improve the user experience in a variety of ways.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/m1j8r8r9bdu25xl6cuk9.png)

## List of Top 6 APIs to make developer productivity:

1. NewsData.io – News API
2. Weather Snippets – Weatherstack
3. Pay with PayPal – PayPal API
4. Google Maps API
5. Currency Exchange Rates – Fixer API
6. Blogging – WordPress API


## NewsData.io – News API
News API, often known as web scraping, is a news API that provides developers with news-related data. This API typically returns structured news data in JSON or XML format. Source, date, keyword, and other criteria can be used to filter data. This allows developers to easily access the specific news data they require for their apps.

[NewsData](https://newsdata.io/) allows users to access historical news, google news feed, breaking news, and cryptocurrency-related news and news analysis. The NewsData API allows users to access and analyze [historical news data](https://newsdata.io/historical-news-api). It also allows users to obtain news depending on filters such as language, region, and category, with up to 12 different categories, 150 nations' news data, and over 77 languages available globally. It is also the best alternative to [Google News API](https://newsdata.io/google-news-api).

## Weather Snippets- Weatherstack
We commonly see API examples with weather data. Comprehensive [weather snippets](https://weatherstack.com/) are frequently integrated into platforms such as Google Search, Apple's Weather app, and even smart home gadgets.
For example, if you search for "weather + [your city's name]" on Google, you'll see a specialized box at the top of the search results, known as a rich snippet. This box displays the current weather conditions and forecasts.
While Google is not directly involved in the meteorological data industry (at least for the time being), they do acquire this information through a third-party vendor. There are numerous weather APIs on the market. 
Weatherstack is a well-known and dependable API. This API allows retrieving data in lightweight JSON format in real-time. Weatherstack is trusted by over 75,000 businesses for providing trustworthy and accurate weather data. It includes scalable infrastructure, location lookup flexibility, and bank-level security. 

## Pay with PayPal – PayPal API
Have you ever used PayPal to make a purchase on an eCommerce website? This approach is additionally aided by an API. APIs are used by the "Pay with PayPal" functionality to ensure that the program only conducts necessary activities without accessing sensitive data.

When a user selects the "[Pay with PayPal](https://developer.paypal.com/api/rest/)" button, the app makes an "order" request to the PayPal API, which includes the payment amount and other important information. The user's authentication is completed, and a confirmation pop-up appears. Finally, if all goes well, the API will return payment confirmation to the application.

## Google Maps API
Google Maps is a popular app on billions of mobile devices around the world. However, you're probably familiar with a number of apps that use the [Google Maps API](https://developers.google.com/maps/apis-by-platform). It would be difficult for business app developers to obtain a more complete geographical data cache than what Google Maps APIs provide. 

Businesses that manage fleets, for example, use this information to track vehicle locations, plan routes more efficiently, and cut down on fuel and maintenance expenses. This data is also used by ridesharing apps for similar purposes.

Google Maps offers a variety of customizable and user-friendly APIs that allow businesses to exploit their location data. Furthermore, it has the potential to improve services throughout the organization. 

## Currency Exchange Rates – Fixer API
You've probably seen product prices in your currency if you utilise foreign shopping applications. This happens because the platform makes use of currency rate APIs.

Shopify is an example of such a platform. Furthermore, Fixer API is a prominent example that can assist you in obtaining currency rates. 

Developers can use the [Fixer API](https://fixer.io/) into their applications to give users with the most recent exchange rate data. As a result, they can easily do currency conversions.

Furthermore, the API provides a variety of endpoints and query parameters for retrieving specialised exchange rate data depending on different currencies and time frames.

## Blogging – WordPress API
Blogging has grown popular in today's digital age enabling people to interact with friends and remain up to speed on world events. Blogging systems have made their APIs available to developers in order to promote seamless integration and improve engagement between blog owners and readers. 

The [WordPress API](https://developer.wordpress.com/docs/api/) is a good example of such an API. WordPress is a popular blogging platform. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive API for developers to interact with WordPress-powered websites programmatically. It also allows developers to create, amend, and retrieve blog postings.