Feb 25, 2025
Why product integration infrastructure is harder than you think
A breakdown of the challenges of integration infra
Bri Cho
Merge.dev is a great point solution for building simple integrations in specific API categories like HRIS and ATS. However, if integrations are central to your product, Merge can quickly become limiting. Nango offers a better alternative—rather than restricting your capabilities, we empower you to build scalable integrations.
Key differences
Catalog
Nango provides access to all API data, while Merge constrains you to a limited set
Merge's integrations are fully pre-built: This makes them fast to set up, but completely inflexible and limiting. You can only access certain data through Merge, and have to work around the rest yourself.
Nango takes a different approach: It provides hundreds of pre-built integrations to cover common use cases, like Merge.But you can extend and customize them to access any data you may need, through Nango.
Customization
Nango supports over 28 API categories, while Merge supports only 6
Nango supports 28 API categories out of the box—from CRM to accounting—while Merge only supports 6.
As an open source integrations platform, Nango lets you add new API integrations yourself, eliminating the need to wait for external platform prioritization.
White label
Nango offers white-labeling for complete control over your integrations, while Merge doesn't
White labeling is important for both branding and technical implementation, which Merge does not support: Your users always authorize Merge, not your own application.
Nango supports white labeling by default. Your integrations look 100% on-brand, and you can be listed in the APIs marketplaces and partner pages.
"Integrations are at the core of our product.
Moving to Nango
set us free to build what our customers need”
Christian Iacullo
Co-founder & CTO, Alloy
Supported APIs
200
700+
API categories
6
23
Pre-built integrations
cannot be edited
extensible
Unified data models
optional
Add support for new APIs
White label
users authorize Merge, not your app
Access user API keys & access tokens
users have to re-authorize if you migrate off Merge for integrations
full control over user API keys and access tokens
Customize integrations on the platform
Supports all API actions and data types
limited
Control API endpoints called
sensitive data may be fetched, even if you turn certain scopes off
full control over the data model and data fetched for each API
Per-customer config
Custom field mappings
Observability & de-bugging
limited
full observability & OpenTelemetry integration
Self hosting available
Hire API experts to help with your integrations
available on Scale plan
Go Deeper
VIEW ALL POSTS Oct 21, 2025
Top Composio Alternatives for AI Agents in 2026
Compare the top alternatives to Composio for AI agent tool calls, with detailed pros and cons.
Robin Guldener
API Integrations
Mar 20, 2026
What is an embedded iPaaS?
A guide for backend engineers and technical product managers evaluating embedded iPaaS platforms for SaaS or AI products. It covers what embedded iPaaS is and how to choose an embedded iPaaS platform.
Sapnesh Naik
Ready to get started?
Ship the integrations your customers need with 700+ APIs.
Code-first, fully customizable
& low maintenance.