The Rise of API Aggregators | 매거진에 참여하세요

Simplifying Integration in the SaaS Era
Why APIs are no longer enough, and the developer experience is the real product.

There was a time when just having an API was enough to be a business.

Twilio turned SMS into an API.
Stripe turned payments into an API.
Sendgrid turned email into an API.

APIs were the product. The documentation, the endpoints, the pricing — that was the service.

But today? That era is fading fast.

APIs are no longer the endgame. In fact, offering just an API is no longer enough to survive. Modern teams want more — more automation, more consistency, and way more speed.

Welcome to the age of API Aggregators.

Why Do We Need Aggregators Now?

Modern SaaS stacks aren't simple. Just integrating one API means developers must:

• - Understand different auth schemes (OAuth, API key, Bearer token...)

• - Parse varied request/response formats (JSON body, query params…)

• - Handle edge cases (rate limits, error codes…)

• - Monitor updates and version changes

Now multiply that by 8–10 services per app — for HR, billing, identity, calendars, support, and so on.

Let’s say you’re building a hiring tool. You’ll likely need:

• - LinkedIn API

• - GitHub API

• - Google Calendar

• - Stripe

• - Greenhouse

• - Gusto

Each comes with its own quirks and learning curve.

That’s where API aggregators come in: they standardize all this into one unified developer layer.

What Is an API Aggregator, Really?

An API aggregator isn’t just a tool — it’s a developer abstraction layer. It lets you integrate dozens of APIs through a single schema, with consistent auth, unified documentation, and built-in monitoring.

Instead of integrating BambooHR, Gusto, and Workday separately,
just connect to Merge.dev — and get access to 40+ HR tools instantly.

Leading API Aggregators You Should Know

Each offers slightly different strengths — but they all focus on developer experience as the true value proposition.

The Real Product: Developer Experience (DevEx)

The Next Step: UX-First & Verticalized Aggregators

We’re entering the next evolution of API infrastructure — where aggregators go vertical and begin embedding UX directly into the stack.

2. Vertical aggregators

   • - Merge, Finch → HR

   • - Plaid, Truv → Finance

   • - Apideck → Marketing tools

4. UX-layered APIs

   • - Finch offers dashboards on top of unified payroll data

   • - Nango provides visual OAuth sync status monitors

• APIs are becoming less like "endpoints" and more like "invisible infrastructure" that powers complete, user-facing services.

So What’s the New API Standard?

“We provide REST APIs” isn’t enough.
The new standard is:
“npm install merge-sdk — and you're done.”

• Auth? Handled.

• Docs? Auto-generated.

• Webhooks? Pre-wired.

• Testing? Built-in.

• Onboarding? Less than 1 hour.

This isn’t just about convenience — it’s about making SaaS buildable by leaner teams, faster cycles, and smarter defaults.

Final Thoughts — APIs as Infrastructure, Not Product

In 2025, APIs aren’t something you "sell." They’re infrastructure. And infrastructure only becomes valuable when it’s:

• - Seamless

• - Invisible

• - Unified

• - Developer-friendly

API aggregators are becoming the standard layer every B2B SaaS startup will build on.

They’re not replacing APIs.
They’re elevating them into platforms.

Follow this shift — and explore more use cases — at BUNZEE.AI
Your next API-powered service might just start with a single line of prompt.