> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://resources.less.tech/less-tech/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://resources.less.tech/less-tech/connectors/intro-to-connector.md).

# Intro to Connector

## Intro to Connectors

Our connectors are split into 3 types: OAuth connectors, token-based connectors, and a mix of the two. They only differ by how you authorize Less to extract your data.

### OAuth Connectors

OAuth is short for **O**pen **Auth**orization and is essentially an automatic way to give access to third-party solutions like Less. You know those pop-ups that ask "Allow *XYZ application* to read user data..."? That's probably an OAuth authorization.

We always strive to create OAuth connectors because they are the simplest to use. Whenever you see a pop-up like the one below on Less, you know that it is an OAuth connector.

<figure><img src="/files/I3UD0nY7BHBzSprCUM0g" alt=""><figcaption><p>OAuth Connection</p></figcaption></figure>

### Regular Connectors

OAuth doesn't exist for all data sources. When OAuth isn't an option, we have to get by with some manual copy/paste. Typically, that means that we ask you for an API Key or maybe a Token of some kind. You have to find or create that token and copy/paste it into Less. We know that's not ideal which is why we prefer OAuth.

{% hint style="info" %}
🔑 We have created guides for every single Connector that will ask for some kind of manual input
{% endhint %}

Whenever you see something like the one below, you know it is a regular connector.

<figure><img src="/files/x8JtpphOWQXw5RSqWTX5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>