Two Approaches to Monetizing External Developer Platforms

MIT CISR

Martin Mocker reads MIT CISR's July 2025 research briefing, which he co-authored with Ina Sebastian. See the text version and related content at https://cisr.mit.edu/publication/2025_0701_MonetizingExDPs_MockerSebastian. Abstract: To gain additional value from their digital platforms, some companies open them to external developers via APIs, thereby creating external developer platforms (ExDPs). Many companies struggle to monetize ExDPs, though. This briefing compares two distinct approaches to monetizing ExDPs: build-on, in which external developers create complementary solutions on top of the company’s platform; and build-in, in which external developers integrate capabilities from the company’s platform into their own freestanding applications, often combined with data from other companies’ ExDPs. Using case studies of Salesforce and Schneider Electric, this briefing explores the distinct value, requirements, and outcomes of each approach to guide companies in selecting their ExDP monetization strategy.