# Advantages of Multi-Step API Checks vs Original API Checks > In this article, we're explaining the benefits of Checkly's new feature: the multi-step API checks vs. the original API checks. Source: https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/advantages-of-multi-step-api-checks-vs-original-api/ --- [Blog](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/) / [API Monitoring](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/tag/api-monitoring/) / [Monitoring as Code (MaC)](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/tag/mac/) # The Advent of Monitoring, Day 9: Advantages of Multi-Step API Checks vs Original API Checks [Nico Domino](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/author/ndom91/) December 16, 2023 · Updated June 7, 2024 _This is the ninth part of our 12-day Advent of Monitoring series. In this series, Checkly's engineers will share practical monitoring tips from their own experience._ As a Checkly user, you’ve always had access to our two core check types: **API** and **browser checks**. [API Checks](https://www.checklyhq.com/docs/api-checks/) are much cheaper, and therefore only run a curl-like request against the endpoint of your choice. The browser check is more expensive but gives you full access to a programmable javascript environment and all of the power of playwright and playwright/test. Recently, we’ve launched a new check type that brings you the best of both worlds, the[multi-step API check (beta)](https://feedback.checklyhq.com/changelog/6548d78dc9f7a1cf0013d75b). ## The Benefits of Checkly’s Multi-Step API Checks ### Affordability of Multi-Step Checks One of the most significant advantages of Multi-Step Checks is their cost-effectiveness. Priced closer to API checks, they are a financially viable solution for many users who need to run checks frequently. This affordability does not compromise their functionality, as they offer a fully programmable Javascript environment and all of [Playwright’s API testing capabilities](https://playwright.dev/docs/api-testing), making them a highly cost-effective solution on the market. ### Enhanced Functionality of Multi-Step Checks Multi-step API checks provide a dynamic and more functional environment for users. They allow you to store values from one API request to another more easily. For example, if you need to fetch a dynamic value first and use it as input in a follow-up API request, multi-step API checks are exactly what you need. This feature makes them incredibly versatile and adaptable to various usage scenarios. ### Working with Binary Files In addition to their affordability and enhanced functionality, multi-step API checks also have the ability to work with binary files, such as images. This means that you can request an image, then use the node's built-in hashing functions to generate an MD5 hash and expect() that it matches the hash you’ve pre-calculated. This opens a whole new world of possibilities, allowing you to interact with your digital assets in ways you never thought possible. Being able to string together multiple API requests with the added power of a fully programmable interface is a giant leap forward from our pre-existing API checks. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed building them and we can’t wait to see what you come up with! _For more information about multi-step API checks beta, please look at:_ - [Our changelog entry](https://feedback.checklyhq.com/changelog/6548d78dc9f7a1cf0013d75b) - [Our docs](https://www.checklyhq.com/docs/multistep-checks/) [Nico Domino](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/author/ndom91/) Fullstack Developer Monitor with AI Let your agents create & deploy monitors with deep understanding of your application [Start for free](https://app.checklyhq.com/signup) Share on social Try Checkly ## Catch it before your users do Run Playwright and API checks against production every minute, from locations around the world. Your checks live in your repo and deploy with your code. [Start for free](https://app.checklyhq.com/signup) [Book a demo](https://www.checklyhq.com/demo-request/) Free plan. No credit card. # scaffold a project with example checks $ npm create checkly@latest # run them from our global locations $ npx checkly test # turn them into production monitors $ npx checkly deploy ## Related Articles [The Advent of Monitoring, Day 8: How to Monitor All the Nines of Your Service-Level Agreements December 15, 2023](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/how-to-monitor-all-the-nines-of-your-service-level-agreements/)[The Advent of Monitoring, Day 7: A Peek Into Our Job Monitoring Strategy With Heartbeat Checks December 14, 2023](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/a-peek-into-our-job-monitoring-strategy-with-heartbeat/)[The Advent of Monitoring, Day 6: How We Use Checkly to Monitor Checkly: A Backender’s Perspective December 18, 2023](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/how-we-use-checkly-to-monitor-checkly/)[The Advent of Monitoring, Day 5: Dealing With Third-Party Dependencies Causing False Positives for Synthetics December 12, 2023](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/dealing-with-third-party-dependencies-causing-false/)[The Advent of Monitoring, Day 4: Solving E2E Testing Challenges With Checkly's PWT Garbage Collector December 11, 2023](https://www.checklyhq.com/blog/solving-e2e-testing-challenges-checkly-pwt-garbage-collector/)