API connectors are software libraries, tools, or platforms that facilitate programmatic access to systems provided by APIs, making it easier for IT teams, developers, and data consumers to access the data behind APIs. They work by translating requests into API commands, handling authentication, pagination, and data transformation, allowing users to integrate different systems and automate tasks. The key differences between APIs and API connectors lie in their scope and application, with APIs being a general concept and API connectors being tools that implement rules for APIs, often adding features like graphical user interfaces.