2020 State of the API Report
API Technologies
Architectural style
As far as architectural styles for APIs are concerned, a sweeping majority of respondents (93.4%) were most familiar with REST. More than one-third mentioned webhooks and almost one-quarter mentioned WebSockets, which may point toward an event-driven future. Rounding out the top five are SOAP at 33.4% and GraphQL at 22.5%.
Respondents with 6+ years of API development experience were more likely to use REST than those with 0–5 years of experience.
Multiple responses allowed
Specifications
We also asked folks which API specifications they use. JSON Schema was by far the top specification in use in 2020, at 75.6%. Swagger 2.0 was next, followed by OpenAPI 3.0. GraphQL also had some significant reported usage at 22.5% and the rest fell in line significantly behind at 5.8% and less.
Respondents with 6+ years of API development experience were more likely to use JSON Schema than those with 0–5 years of experience.
Multiple responses allowed
Event Recap: A New Era for API and AI Builders
Discover how leading developers are building smarter, faster, and more secure APIs in the age of agentic AI. Get the insights, strategies, and product announcements that emerged from two incredible days of innovation in Los Angeles.
