Videoconferencing software heavyweight Zoom Video Communications Inc. today announced the widespread availability of the Zoom Apps software development kit, making it easier for developers to create third-party applications that work within the Zoom client.

Developers can now use the Zoom Apps SDK to bring their apps inside Zoom, where they can potentially reach more users, the company said. The Zoom Apps SDK has been available in beta since last year, and to date there have been about 100 Zoom Apps published by developers within the Zoom App Marketplace.

Zoom Apps are those that integrate directly within the Zoom Meetings client. A user can access them while they’re on a call using Zoom. It adds additional capabilities to Zoom, allowing meeting participants to edit documents, collaborate on work, play games and even social network.

It should be noted that Zoom Apps are different from the regular apps in the Zoom Marketplace. Those apps instead bring Zoom Meetings into their own interface.

The company explained that Zoom Apps SDK is a JavaScript-based SDK that enables access to client features such as Virtual Background settings and meeting data. It enables app developers to understand the meeting context, with identifiers for both users and the meeting itself. These identifiers can then be used with a set of application programming interface endpoints available through the Zoom Developer Platform, including REST APIs and webhooks that enrich app experiences, Zoom said.

Developers can use Zoom Apps SDK to build their apps and then submit them for review to the Zoom Apps Marketplace. Each submitted app will undergo a thorough review of its functionality and usability, as well as security and compliance. Once an app has successfully passed the review, developers will be able to publish it on the App Marketplace.

The ability to add third-party apps into Zoom is seen as key to the platform’s future growth, as it will drive further engagement. Although Zoom did manage to grow its customer base by a healthy 24% in the previous quarter, that growth is far slower than the incredible heights it hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zoom Chief Technology Officer Brendan Ittelson said the Zoom Apps SDK will help developers to meet customer expectations by making it easier for them to extend the reach of their applications.

“With the launch of the Zoom Apps SDK, the Zoom Developer Platform continues to expand and offer developers new ways to incorporate video communications and collaboration into their creations, transforming business workflows forever,” he said.

Image: Zoom