Writing API documentation from scratch is time-consuming and complex, so most enterprises rely on API documentation tools to make it easier. API documentation tools help automate the creation and management of documents and help users format and display information in a way that is easy to read and understand, even for users with no technical background.

But which tool is better for writing and hosting your business-related API documentation? In this article, we explored why API documentation exists, listed the five best API documentation tools currently available, and how they fit your business needs.

Why is API documentation important

API documentation is human – and computer-readable technical content that explains how a particular API works and what it does. Its purpose is twofold. It is first an accurate reference to describe the API in detail. Second, it can act as a coaching and teaching tool to help users get started and use it.

When used properly, API documentation is the only real source of information about how an API works. It should contain details about functions, parameters, classes, and so on in a structured format that is easy for developers and non-technical users to understand. Typically, it will include tutorials and examples that will help users better understand how the different parts work together.

  • 1. Investing time and resources to create high-quality API documentation has many benefits:

  • 2. Shorten the training guidance process – customers and internal users can access these API documents and use the information required by the API.

  • 3. Reduce your reliance on technical support — Good documentation takes the pressure off API technicians and helps other users find their own answers. The API applies whether your API is for internal use only or is used by thousands of customers.

  • 4. Encourage non-technical staff – By improving understanding of non-programming colleagues, API documentation helps developers better discuss how to use API tools and data to achieve business goals.

  • 5. Increase adoption — Easy to use API documentation will increase the speed and stickiness with which new users start using your API. By providing a better user experience, companies will benefit from increasing praise and positive user feedback, thus speeding up user adoption.

  • 6. Higher user satisfaction — Satisfied customers and colleagues can help your business improve its reputation.

What are the elements that make up the top-level API documentation tools?

Creating great API documentation is a delicate balance between providing detailed technical information and presenting the information in an easy-to-use manner. A good way to see how best to do this is to look at examples of apis from companies that are performing well – thankfully, they are not hard to find.

Many popular tools publish their API documentation online so that third-party developers can easily access and use them. Stripe and Twilio are two great examples of properly completed documentation. Although their solutions were developed in-house, the best practices they show are still useful for businesses that want to create their own API documentation. Here are some reasons why these documents are so effective:

  • 1. They provide sample code in the documentation so users can see how it works in practice.

  • 2. They make it easy to find solutions to common problems so busy developers can get what they need quickly.

  • 3. They don’t provide unnecessary information that is not needed to understand the API and how it works. When users are busy at work and have problems, they want usable documentation, not redundant information.

  • 4. They don’t have a certain level of knowledge — the simplest concepts are as well explained as the most difficult ones.

  • 5. They are formatted correctly. The content is organized, consistent and easy to read. This reduces friction for users who want to learn or solve problems.

Which writing specification is best?

There is more than one way to document an API, and different software uses different specifications. Each of these specifications provides different standards and styles for describing apis. The most popular are the following three:

  • 1.OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) — The most popular specification. Open source and supported by companies like Microsoft and Google. Use JSON objects with specific schemas to describe API elements.

  • 2.RAML — YAML based RAML (or RESTful API modeling language) takes a top-down approach to creating clear, consistent, and accurate documents.

  • 3.API Blueprint – Another open source specification, the API Blueprint is designed to provide a high degree of accessibility. It uses a description language similar to Markdown and does a good job of following design-first principles during API creation.

While all of these options work, the OpenAPI format has seen the biggest growth in the past few years. Backed by big brands, it quickly developed a large community and then the widest range of tools available. This is a good choice for businesses that aren’t sure which specification to follow, because you have a wider range of choices and a greater chance of community support if you run into difficulties.

5 best API documentation tools

There is no shortage of API documentation tools on the market. Here are the best API documentation tools we’ve selected:

Swagger UI

Swagger UI is a popular tool for creating interactive API documents. After the user enters an OpenAPI Specification (OAS) document, Swagger UI formats it using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to create an aesthetically readable document.

Swagger UI is part of the Swagger ecosystem, which includes a variety of tools, many of which are open source (including Swagger UI) as well as advanced versions (SwaggerHub).

Its advantages are:

  • 1. Full customization customization – Users have access to the complete source code and can adapt the Swagger UI to suit their use or take advantage of other users’ adjustments.

  • 2. Support OAS 3.0 — used with OpenAPI specification version 3.0 and older Swagger 2.0

  • 3. Very popular with users – it’s easy to get support from other users if you have problems.

Swagger also provides other open source tools that complement the Swagger UI by helping to create the OpenAPI specification (OAS) documentation it uses. The Swagger Editor allows users to create their own OAS definitions, which can then be visualized using the Swagger UI, while the Swagger Inspector enables users to automatically generate OAS definitions from API endpoints.

SwaggerHub

SwaggerHub is a paid API documentation tool that combines the Swagger UI, Swagger editor, and many other features of the Swagger ecosystem. It is aimed at enterprises and enterprise users and contains many other features designed to optimize document workflow.

Its advantages are:

  • 1. One pack installation – Unlike Swagger UI, SwaggerHub provides a complete set of API documentation tools without having to look up other software.

  • 2. Automatic API Documentation Generation – SwaggerHub enables users to automatically generate interactive API documentation during design.

  • 3. Optimize collaboration processes — permissions and user roles, real-time comments, issue tracking, and team management tools.

Unlike the Swagger UI and many of the other options on this list, SwaggerHub is a paid solution. However, for large enterprises that rely heavily on apis, it can be a worthwhile investment.

ReDoc

ReDoc is a free open source documentation tool that supports OAS 2.0 and OAS 3.0. With ReDoc, enterprises can quickly publish aesthetically pleasing interactive API documents online.

Its advantages are:

  • 1. Flexibility – ReDoc can run in your browser, but can also be used as a Docker image, React component, or command-line tool.

  • 2. Responsive – Beautiful themes have completely responsive effects and work well on any screen size or browser. In addition, you can customize fonts, change colors and easily add logos.

  • 3. Easy navigation – Customizable navigation bar and search box allows users to quickly find the information they need.

DapperDox

DapperDox is an open source OpenAPI renderer available for use with OAS 2.0 and OAS 3.0.

Its advantages are:

  • 1. Markdown content integration – DapperDox enables users to combine their OpenAPI specifications with charts created using GitHub Markdown (GFM).

  • 2. Clear document layout — DapperDox documents are clearly written, which is helpful for new users.

  • 3.API Explorer – DapperDox’s API explorer allows users to experiment with API documents.

OpenAPI generator

OpenAPI Generator is an easy-to-use tool for generating OAS 2.0 and OAS 3.0 documentation as well as documentation for server stubs and libraries. It is known for being relatively simple to use (without sacrificing functionality) and highly extensible (for example, it supports over 50 client generators).

Its advantages are:

  • 1. Community Support – OpenAPI Generator has a large number of experienced users who can discuss and use it and can be a valuable resource when creating documents.

  • 2. Server stubs – OpenAPI Generator enables users to create server stubs for over 40 different languages, including PHP, Java, and GO.

  • 3. Document Format optimization – Convert OAS documents to HTML or Cwiki format

Better manage API documents with DreamFactory

DreamFactory uses Swagger to generate real-time API documentation for each API you create. Using DreamFactory for API documentation has the following benefits:

  • 1. Automated updates – Your team can be confident that your documents are always up to date and correct. Don’t wait for busy developers to update your documents.

  • 2. Support third-party imports – Use third-party apis? no problem You can import its OAS documents into DreamFactory so that your users can access and view them as if they were your own.

  • 3. Administrator privileges – DreamFactory prevents your documentation by ensuring that only developers with DreamFactory administrator privileges can modify them. Other users can only view it.

  • 4. Intelligent Interaction – Your team can access live interactive documentation within seconds of launching the API.

Documentation is just one of many enterprise-class features that make DreamFactory the ultimate API-as-a-service platform. With DreamFactory, you can easily create, manage, and document dozens or even hundreds of REST apis. DreamFactory enables enterprises to create professional, fully functional REST apis in seconds, with a high degree of security, and to centrally manage each API from a single platform.

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