The connection between two or more software applications that allows them to share data and functionality.
Developer Tools
In our reference library
Integration is the connection between software applications that lets them share data and trigger actions across systems, such as a CRM syncing with billing or a support tool creating tickets from email. Integrations determine how much of a product's theoretical value becomes practical value, because no platform exists in isolation. Buyers should inventory the integrations that matter before evaluating vendors, covering data direction, sync frequency, and whether workflows operate in both directions. Pre-built connectors reduce cost and risk compared with custom development, but their quality varies, so depth should be tested with real records. API access extends integrations beyond the official catalog, though it transfers ownership of maintenance to the buyer. Integration debt accumulates silently: every disconnected system forces manual re-entry, stale data, and shadow processes. Organizations should review integration health periodically, because changes on either side of a connector can silently break data flows.
Why Integration matters when choosing software
Integration can affect software selection differently depending on the workflow, team size, and category. Use the definition above as the starting point, then check how the concept appears in the products you are evaluating. In practical terms, look for the controls, limits, integrations, reporting, or operating assumptions that are directly related to Integration. A useful comparison should explain what the concept means, where it matters, and what evidence a buyer can verify before committing.
How to evaluate it in a real product
Start with the workflow that depends most on Integration. Identify the requirement, ask the vendor for the relevant documentation or configuration details, and test the requirement with realistic sample data where possible. Then compare the result against alternatives rather than treating a marketing label as proof. Related concepts in this category include API, Ecosystem, Webhook.