API Development &
Integration Services
APIs are the connective tissue of modern software. Whether you need custom REST or GraphQL APIs, third-party integrations with payment gateways, CRMs, and ERPs, or a complete microservices API mesh, we design and build APIs that are fast, secure, well-documented, and built to scale.
SUB-100MS LATENCY - OAUTH 2.0 SECURITY - FULL OPENAPI DOCUMENTATION
Node.js • Python • Go • .NET • REST • GraphQL • gRPC • WebSocket
API Development Capabilities
From designing your first public API to refactoring a tangled legacy integration layer, we handle the full API lifecycle.
Custom REST & GraphQL API Design
We design APIs following industry best practices: RESTful resource modeling with proper HTTP semantics, GraphQL schemas with efficient resolver patterns, pagination strategies (cursor-based for large datasets), comprehensive error handling, and OpenAPI 3.1 / GraphQL SDL documentation. Every API we build passes Postman collection testing before delivery.
Third-Party API Integration
Connect your systems to the services your business depends on. We handle the complexity of payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, VNPay, GrabPay), CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot), ERP systems (SAP, NetSuite), e-commerce APIs (Shopify, WooCommerce), shipping carriers, accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks), and communication platforms (Twilio, SendGrid, WhatsApp Business).
Webhook Implementation
Build reliable event-driven architectures with webhooks that actually work. We implement idempotent event handling, HMAC signature verification, exponential backoff retry logic, dead letter queues for failed deliveries, and webhook management dashboards. Your integrations stay synchronized in real-time without polling.
API Gateway & Management
Centralize API management with Kong, AWS API Gateway, Azure API Management, or Apigee. We configure rate limiting, request/response transformation, authentication policies, caching, logging, and developer portal setup. One gateway to control access, monitor usage, and enforce policies across all your APIs.
Legacy System API Wrapping
Your legacy systems contain valuable business logic but expose it through outdated protocols (SOAP, FTP, proprietary formats). We build modern REST or GraphQL API layers around legacy systems, enabling new applications to consume the data without touching the legacy codebase. Gradual modernization without the Big Bang risk.
Microservices API Mesh
Design and implement service mesh architectures using Istio, Linkerd, or AWS App Mesh. Service discovery, circuit breakers, distributed tracing (Jaeger, Zipkin), mutual TLS between services, and canary deployment routing. Built for teams running dozens or hundreds of microservices that need to communicate reliably.
Need Help Scoping Your API Project?
Our consultant can help you define requirements, estimate timelines, and recommend the right architecture.
Engage GhostPerformance Standards We Deliver
API Security Built In, Not Bolted On
Every API we build follows the OWASP API Security Top 10 guidelines. Security is part of the design process, not an afterthought.
Authentication & Authorization
OAuth 2.0 with PKCE flow for user-facing apps. JWT tokens with short expiration and refresh rotation. API key management with scoped permissions for service-to-service calls. RBAC and ABAC policy enforcement at the gateway level.
Input Validation & Rate Limiting
Strict schema validation on every request (JSON Schema, Zod, Joi). SQL injection and XSS prevention. Configurable rate limiting per endpoint, per user, per API key. Throttling with graceful degradation under load.
Encryption, Logging & Compliance
TLS 1.3 for all data in transit. Field-level encryption for sensitive data (PII, payment info). Comprehensive audit logging with tamper-proof storage. HMAC signature verification for all incoming webhooks. We build APIs that comply with PCI DSS for payment data, GDPR for EU personal data, PDPA for Singapore, and HIPAA for healthcare information.
Common Integration Scenarios
| CATEGORY | PLATFORMS | TYPICAL TIMELINE |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Gateways | Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, VNPay, GrabPay | 1-3 weeks |
| CRM Systems | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive | 2-4 weeks |
| ERP Platforms | SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics | 4-8 weeks |
| E-Commerce | Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Shopee | 1-3 weeks |
| Communication | Twilio, SendGrid, WhatsApp Business, Zalo OA | 1-2 weeks |
| Social Media | Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, LinkedIn, X | 1-3 weeks |
Common Questions About API Development
What is the difference between REST and GraphQL APIs?
+REST APIs use fixed endpoints that return predefined data structures. Each resource has its own URL, and you use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to interact with them. GraphQL uses a single endpoint where clients specify exactly what data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching. REST is simpler, more cacheable, and better for CRUD operations. GraphQL is ideal when clients need flexible data queries, when you have multiple frontends consuming the same API, or when reducing network requests is critical. We help you choose the right approach based on your use case.
How do you secure APIs?
+We implement multi-layered API security: OAuth 2.0 with PKCE for user authentication, JWT tokens with short expiration and refresh rotation for session management, API key management with scoped permissions for service-to-service communication, rate limiting and throttling to prevent abuse, request validation and input sanitization to prevent injection attacks, TLS 1.3 encryption for all data in transit, and HMAC signature verification for webhooks. We comply with OWASP API Security Top 10 guidelines.
What third-party systems can you integrate with?
+We integrate with virtually any system that has an API: payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, VNPay, GrabPay), CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), ERP (SAP, NetSuite, Dynamics), e-commerce (Shopify, WooCommerce), shipping (DHL, FedEx), accounting (Xero, QuickBooks), communication (Twilio, SendGrid, WhatsApp Business), and social media platforms. For legacy systems without modern APIs, we build API wrappers that expose clean REST or GraphQL interfaces.
What does API development cost?
+API costs depend on complexity. A straightforward REST API with 10-15 endpoints typically costs $8,000-$15,000. A comprehensive API with complex business logic and integrations ranges from $25,000-$60,000. Enterprise API platforms with microservices architecture start at $50,000+. We provide detailed estimates after a free consultation to understand your specific requirements.
How long does API development take?
+A simple API with 10-15 endpoints takes 3-5 weeks. Mid-complexity APIs with third-party integrations take 6-10 weeks. Enterprise platforms with microservices architecture take 12-20 weeks. Third-party integrations vary from 1-2 weeks (Stripe, SendGrid) to 4-8 weeks (SAP, Salesforce complex integrations). We provide detailed timelines during scoping.
Your Systems Need to Talk to Each Other. We Make It Happen.
Manual data entry between systems costs businesses an average of 20-30 hours per week and introduces errors that compound over time. Well-designed APIs eliminate that waste entirely. Tell us what systems you need connected, and we will scope a clean, secure integration plan.