API vs screen scraping: how the two approaches differ
Blog post from Merge
The text discusses the differences between screen scraping and API integration as methods for syncing data between applications, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each. Screen scraping is noted for its universal accessibility but is prone to being blocked and requires significant maintenance, while APIs offer structured, reliable, and scalable data access but can be technically complex and dependent on the provider's specifications. The text suggests using APIs when available due to their reliability and frequency of updates. It also introduces Merge, a platform that facilitates integration by offering a unified API and other tools to simplify the process of building and maintaining customer-facing integrations, helping to alleviate the resource burden on developers.