RapidAPI provides a streamlined process for deploying and monetizing APIs by allowing developers to integrate user authentication and billing plans without additional development work. It acts as a proxy, validating API keys and subscriptions before forwarding requests to the API, ensuring that calls are authenticated and paid for. To list an API on RapidAPI, developers must document their endpoints, define query-string parameters, and set up request headers and payloads. Once listed, developers can create tiered pricing plans through RapidAPI's platform, offering various subscription levels and setting quotas to manage usage and revenue effectively. The platform also offers the ability to add custom quotas for more complex pricing needs, although clarity is crucial to avoid confusion among users. RapidAPI handles billing, fraud detection, and invoicing, allowing API providers to focus more on development while reaching a broad audience of developers.