10 Micro API Ideas to Make Money

Originally published on Medium · March 11, 2023

You don't need a huge SaaS idea to start making money as a developer. A small, focused API that does one thing well can be enough — build it, put a usage limit on the free tier, and charge for the rest. Here are ten micro API ideas I think are worth building, each simple enough to ship in a weekend.

1. URL shortener

A URL shortening API allows users to shorten long URLs into shorter, more manageable ones. You can charge users based on the number of URLs they shorten or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

2. Image compression

An image compression API allows users to compress large images without losing quality. You can charge users based on the size of the images they compress or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

3. Text-to-speech conversion

A text-to-speech API converts written text into spoken words. You can charge users based on the number of words they convert or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

4. Currency conversion

A currency conversion API converts one currency to another based on the current exchange rates. You can charge users based on the number of conversions they make or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

5. File conversion

A file conversion API allows users to convert files from one format to another. You can charge users based on the size of the files they convert or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

6. QR code generation

A QR code generator API creates QR codes that can be scanned by smartphones to quickly access information. You can charge users based on the number of codes they generate or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

7. Barcode scanner

A barcode scanner API allows users to scan barcodes with their smartphones to access product information. You can charge users based on the number of scans they make or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

8. Social media profile analysis

A social media profile analysis API provides insights about a person's social media profiles, such as their follower count, engagement rate, and audience demographics. You can charge users based on the number of profiles they analyze or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

9. Image recognition

An image recognition API allows users to identify objects, people, or text within an image. You can charge users based on the number of images they analyze or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

10. Vehicle identification number (VIN) lookup

A VIN lookup API provides information about a vehicle based on its VIN number. You can charge users based on the number of requests they make or offer a subscription-based pricing model.

Hope this helps!