---
title: "SDK | Definition"
description: "SDK meaning Software Development Kit. It is a set of tools and instructions that developers use to build apps for a particular platform."
url: https://uxcam.com/glossary/sdk/
language: en-US
date_published: 2021-09-30T14:02:18.449Z
date_modified: 2023-07-11T09:22:28.113Z
---

# SDK | Definition

#### Related terms

- [UXCam](https://uxcam.com/glossary/uxcam/)
- [iOS analytics](https://uxcam.com/glossary/ios-analytics/)
- [Native app](https://uxcam.com/glossary/native-app/)

### What is an SDK?

SDK stands for software development kit.

But first, we need to take a step back and talk about APIs.

So what’s an API? An API (application programming interface) is a piece of code that allows two apps to communicate with each other.

You can see an SDK as a toolbox that unites different APIs and libraries. Mobile app SDKs usually contain multiple APIs that work together.

In other words: You add an SDK to your app by adding a few lines of code. Your app can now communicate to 3rd-party services via APIs.

All successful mobile apps have integrated a wide range of SDKs.

### Why are SDKs important?

SDKs empower mobile apps. They enable sophisticated analytics, e.g., [heatmaps](https://uxcam.com/glossary/heatmap/), or allow your app to send push notifications.

In doing so, you get more information about the performance of your app. If your app can communicate with 3rd-party services, you can reach a bigger audience and join a network that is full of opportunities.

### SDK examples

A simple example of a mobile app SDK is the option to log into an app via a Facebook account. The app communicates with Facebook to confirm the data transmission.

A more complex example is analytics SDKs. For example, the UXCam SDK captures all user interactions of an app to provide customers with actionable UX insights.

For a list of essential SDK vendors, download our SDK guide [here](https://resources.uxcam.com/e-books/complete-sdk-guide-2021).

#### Related terms

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