When developers go about creating apps, they expect more than just a basic toolkit. Software Development Kits (SDKs) are crucial for making that process seamless. Yet many tech vendors stop short, offering only APIs, protocols that allow different software components to talk to one another. This leaves developers with the tedious job of piecing everything together themselves.
But thanks to Stainless, a company on a mission, that gap has been bridged. Led by Alex Rattray, Stainless is improving SDK creation by leveraging AI and advanced automation. With high-profile customers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, the company is quickly gaining momentum.
Why SDKs Matter in the Development World
APIs may lay the foundation for connecting software components, but SDKs are the ready-made blueprints that help developers build faster and smarter. Without SDKs, developers face an uphill battle:
- Reading extensive API documentation
- Manually coding integrations
- Spending hours debugging compatibility issues
For companies without SDKs, scaling becomes a daunting challenge. This is where Stainless steps in, turning APIs into polished SDKs that save time and reduce headaches for developers.
How Stainless Automates SDK Creation
Using an AI driven compiler, Stainless takes an API specification and generates SDKs in popular programming languages like Python, TypeScript, Kotlin, and Go. As APIs evolve, Stainless keeps them current with built-in features for versioning and changelogs.
Rather than relying on in-house teams to manually build libraries in multiple languages, Stainless provides an automated solution. It offers a solid starting point that development teams can customize to fit their needs. The result is faster integration times and fewer inconsistencies.
The Stainless Edge: What Sets It Apart
While Stainless isn’t the first API-to-SDK generator, its approach has struck a chord with industry leaders. Competitors like LibLab and Speakeasy, along with open-source tools such as OpenAPI Generator, also offer solutions. However, Rattray argues that Stainless delivers superior quality.
“Many customers mention trying open-source options, only to spend more time fixing the code than using it,” Rattray explained. “Stainless provides a level of polish that’s unmatched in the market.”
This attention to detail has earned Stainless a loyal customer base. Companies like Runway, Cloudflare, and Cerebras rely on its platform, with SDKs being downloaded millions of times each week.
The Business Behind the Innovation
Stainless has proven its value not just to developers but also to investors. The company recently raised $25 million in a Series A funding round led by a16z, with support from Sequoia, Zapier, and MongoDB. This brings its total funding to $35 million.
The pricing model is straightforward:
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- Free for publishing a single SDK
- $250/month to $30,000/year for multiple SDKs across various languages
With annual recurring revenue nearing $1 million, Stainless is on the verge of profitability.
A Vision Beyond SDKs
Alex Rattray’s journey to founding Stainless is rooted in firsthand experience. While studying economics at the University of Pennsylvania, he picked up programming and landed a role at Stripe. There, he revamped API documentation and launched tools for API client SDKs.
That experience shaped Stainless’ vision. “SDKs are just the first act,” Rattray said. “We aim to be the go-to platform for all things API-related.” With its newly expanded team, Stainless is already exploring how to make APIs more accessible and efficient for developers worldwide.
Why This Matters for the Future of Development
As Rattray puts it, we’re entering a world where “everyone has access to an expert-level engineer in their pocket.” APIs are evolving from tools for power users to essential interfaces for companies of all sizes.
The future of software development depends on making these tools as user-friendly as possible. Companies that fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete, much like a restaurant without an online presence. Stainless is leading the charge, ensuring developers have the tools they need to thrive in an API-driven world.
A Glimpse Ahead
With its focus on quality, automation, and developer-centric innovation, Stainless is telling us what’s possible in API-to-SDK conversion. The company’s rapid growth and high-profile partnerships underscore its potential to shape the future of software development.
For developers tired of navigating outdated tools and fragmented documentation, Stainless offers a breath of fresh air and a powerful glimpse of what’s next. Stainless is proving that the future of development lies not just in innovation but in delivering tools that truly work for the people who need them.
