> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.withbenji.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Benji Connect Overview

> Choose the right integration approach for connecting members to reward partners.

## What is Benji Connect?

Benji Connect enables you to connect your members to reward loyalty partners, allowing them to earn and redeem rewards through your platform. There are two ways to integrate Benji Connect into your application:

* **Benji Hosted Connect** — Connect users through [**Benji Hosted Connect**](/connect/hosted/introduction) (Benji-managed page; no embedded JavaScript required)
* **Benji Connect SDK** — Embed the same Connect experience as a [modal in your app](/connect/introduction)

Both approaches accomplish the same goal—connecting your members to reward partners—but differ in implementation, customization, and user experience. Both use a [connect token](/connect/create_token) and support [Connect modes](/connect/modes) (link, transfer, redeem) depending on how you create the token.

## Benji Hosted Connect

**Benji Hosted Connect** is a fully hosted solution where you redirect users to a Benji-managed page that handles the entire Connect flow (internally using the same patterns as the **Benji Connect SDK**). You integrate primarily via URLs, [Pilot](/pilot/developer) configuration, and APIs—not by embedding JavaScript. No frontend code changes are required.

**Best suited for:**

* Quick integrations without building your own Connect UI
* Server-side or campaign-driven links
* Multi-platform use of a single **Benji Hosted Connect** URL pattern
* Dedicated **Benji Hosted Connect** experiences and custom domains configured in Pilot

<Card title="Benji Hosted Connect Introduction" icon="browser" href="/connect/hosted/introduction">
  Learn how to integrate with Benji Hosted Connect
</Card>

## Benji Connect SDK

The **Benji Connect SDK** is a JavaScript/TypeScript library you load from npm or script tag. It opens the Connect experience in a modal over your page and delivers callbacks to your code. With this solution you have full control over when and how the connection flow is triggered.

**Best suited for:**

* Native app integrations
* Web applications requiring seamless user experience
* Scenarios where you want the connection flow embedded in your UI
* Tight control over when the modal opens and how you handle [events](/connect/methods)

<Card title="Benji Connect SDK Introduction" icon="code" href="/connect/introduction">
  Learn how to integrate with the Benji Connect SDK
</Card>

## Comparison

| Feature             | Benji Hosted Connect                       | Benji Connect SDK                                      |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Integration**     | Redirect + APIs; optional query parameters | Embed the **Benji Connect SDK**; initialize with token |
| **Customization**   | **Benji Hosted Connect** in Pilot          | Embedded in your UI                                    |
| **User experience** | Full-page **Benji Hosted Connect** entry   | Inline modal                                           |
| **Best for**        | Email campaigns, dedicated partner pages   | Native app integrations, web applications              |
| **Effort**          | Minimal                                    | Requires frontend integration                          |

<Tip>
  You can use both: e.g. **Benji Hosted Connect** for campaigns and the **Benji
  Connect SDK** for logged-in web sessions. Choose the approach that best fits
  each use case in your application.
</Tip>

## Integration checklist

Use this list when wiring **Benji Hosted Connect**, the **Benji Connect SDK**, and your backend.

| Step                         | What to do                                                                                                   | Where to read more                                             |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| API access                   | Create a **partner API key** in Pilot                                                                        | [Developer](/pilot/developer)                                  |
| Token                        | `POST` [Create Token](/connect/create_token) with `partnership_id`, `mode`, and optional fields              | [Create Token](/connect/create_token), [Modes](/connect/modes) |
| **Benji Hosted Connect** URL | Use `connect_url` + `?connect_token=<token>`; configure **Redirect URL** and optional custom domain in Pilot | [Benji Hosted Connect](/connect/hosted/introduction)           |
| **Benji Connect SDK**        | Install package, [initialize](/connect/initialization), call `open()`, handle [callbacks](/connect/methods)  | [Introduction](/connect/introduction)                          |
| Long-lived access            | `POST` [Exchange Token](/connect/exchange_token) with the token from **`onSuccess`** within **15 minutes**   | [Exchange Token](/connect/exchange_token)                      |
| Async updates                | Subscribe to webhooks for user and transaction lifecycle                                                     | [Webhooks overview](/api-reference/webhooks/overview)          |