If you’re exploring ways to integrate Local Logic’s home consumer engagement solutions into your platform, you’ve probably run into the SDK vs. API question.

For brokerages, MLSs, and proptech teams, it’s not just a tech decision; it’s a balance between speed, customization, resources, and long-term scalability.

The reality?

• Many teams juggle too many vendors and fragmented data sources.
• Leaders feel pressured to get to market fast without sacrificing quality.
• Dev resources are already stretched thin.

Whether you’re looking to add local insights to your brokerage website or build a proprietary home search experience, the right path comes down to how you want to integrate location intelligence into your stack.

That’s exactly why Local Logic supports both SDK and API integrations — so you can choose the path that fits your business, your timeline, and your tech stack.

Let’s break it down simply.

TL;DR: What’s the Difference?

Think of an SDK like a ready-made LEGO set. It’s themed, prepackaged, and ready to use right out of the box. 

An API? That’s a big bucket of bricks — perfect if you want to build something from scratch, but you’ll need a blueprint, time, and a builder.

Why We Offer Both

When Local Logic first launched, we offered only APIs, giving clients complete flexibility to build their own solutions. But over time, we realized many teams wanted something more optimized and ready to deploy. That’s why we created our SDKs: prebuilt, front-end experiences tested across thousands of real estate websites. They combine the same rich Local Logic data with a proven UX that’s designed to engage consumers and convert leads, right out of the box.

Option 1: The SDK Route (aka the Fast Track)

Local Logic’s SDKs are pre-built widgets you can embed directly into your listing detail pages, community pages, and search interfaces.

They’re hosted by us and integrate natively with most platforms, such as Delta Media Group, Inside Real Estate, Union Street Media, MoxiWorks, and many more. They can be styled to match your branding (colors, fonts, etc.) and require no ongoing maintenance.

SDKs are ideal for teams that want:

• Speed to market (drop-in ready)
• Minimal developer lift
• Modern UX with built-in design
• Zero maintenance for data updates or hosting

Popular SDK use cases:

• Replacing a static map with an interactive one
• Displaying lifestyle scores or demographics data
• Creating pre-built community pages

Our out-of-the-box SDKs include:

• Local Content: Embed rich location insights into listings to help buyers better understand an area.
• Local Demographics: Highlight key neighborhood demographics to boost engagement.
• Local Search: Help buyers match lifestyle needs with the right location.
• NeighborhoodWrap: Instantly launch out-of-the-box community pages that showcase your local expertise.

Option 2: The API Route (aka the Custom Path)

Offering full flexibility, Local Logic’s APIs give you direct access to our datasets and scores so you can build proprietary search experiences.

This is perfect for teams that have developers on hand and want to:

• Have full control over UX and data presentation
• Combine Local Logic data with other datasets
• Build proprietary tools or workflows

Popular API use cases:

• Pulling POI and lifestyle data into a custom-built search flow
• Powering interactive tools to help consumers match lifestyle needs with the right area
• Generating branded research and market content to drive traffic and media visibility

As part of our APIs, we offer:

• IO Reports: Consumer-ready lifestyle and market reports ready in seconds.
• Demographics: Detailed demographic data for any location that scales with your needs.
• Location Scores: 18 proprietary location scores across transportation, services, and character.
• Profiles: Detailed neighborhood profiles that enhance your project with rich, human-readable content.
• Points of Interest: 28 POI categories for any location in the US and Canada with detailed classification.
• Location Snapshot: Detailed insights into POI, scores, and demographics, for any location.
• Market Stats: Granular listing and sale for any neighborhood in the US.
• School: Complete picture of school options around any location or neighborhood.
• Climate Risk: Comprehensive climate risk scores to the impact of climate change on properties.

You can also find more details within our API documentation.

How to Choose What’s Right for You

Choose SDK if you want to:

• Go live quickly
• Enhance your site without redesigning it
• Deliver a great UX without needing dev time
• Avoid managing data updates and hosting

Choose API if you want to:

• Build something highly custom
• Pull data into your own product workflows
• Combine Local Logic data with internal datasets
• Create new proprietary interfaces or tools

A Third Option? Combine Them

Several of our partners start with SDKs for speed, then layer APIs for custom needs. For example, you might:

• Launch Local Content SDKs on listing pages for immediate consumer impact
• Use the Schools API to surface nearby school data inside your search experience
• Use the IO Reports API to generate dynamic neighborhood reports within your CRM or back office

With this hybrid approach, you get the best of both worlds: time-to-value now and flexibility when you need it.

Still Not Sure? We’ll Help You Choose

At the end of the day, the best option comes down to your goals, internal resources, and tech stack. We’ll help you scope it out and pick what works best for your business.

• For business leaders: We’ll help you map your goals to the fastest ROI.
• For technical evaluators: We’ll walk your dev team through sample code, documentation, and best practices.

Local Logic powers location intelligence for brokerages, MLSs, and real estate platforms across North America. Whether you want to embed rich neighborhood insights into your listings or build a fully custom home search experience from scratch, we have the tools to make it happen.