What's the difference between Saas and API. (SaaS vs Api)
I would like to know what is the difference between SaaS and API. I feel like it is one way or another. So let's say I am building Rails or Flask api, can I say that I am building Rails or Flask SaaS?
saas: Software as a service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a service provider or service provider and delivered to customers over a network, usually the Internet. ( source )
api: API stands for Application Programming Interface and is just a way to get information and pass information to trusted partners. Category. People and blogs. (Google)
source to share
Software as a service is a complete application that supports / maintains multiple users from a single code base. Gmail, Hotmail, Dropbox, Google Drive, Stackoverflow - pretty much anything you use on the internet and is also used by a few people as a service.
An API is simply a way for others to build on top of an existing application. The API doesn't need SaaS, and the APIs are much more than the Internet itself.
If you are creating an API, this usually means that you need others to use some data that you view through the API, or extend the application for which you are creating an API. You can decide to host this API online just for ease of use, and you can also decide to host resources online. Your entire API + resources + API is now an example of software that is distributed as a service.
However, you can use the API just fine to create an app that is completely disabled. For example, you can create a new extension for Chrome or Firefox using the browser API, but Chrome is not "SaaS".
source to share