# GSPs and ASPs in the GST Ecosystem
GSTN runs the back-end. But taxpayers (and especially tax professionals) often need richer, integrated tools. That's where GSPs and ASPs come in.
## GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs)
- GSTN selects and appoints eligible IT, ITeS and fintech firms as GSPs.
- GSPs build applications/dashboards that interact with the GSTN system via APIs.
- Using a GSP is optional — taxpayers can always use the gst.gov.in portal directly.
### Typical GSP-offered services
- Return filing and reconciliation of purchase register with auto-populated data.
- Dashboards for monitoring GST compliance status.
- Role-based access for managing GST tasks (uploading invoices, filing returns, etc.).
- Specialised applications for tax professionals managing many clients.
- Integration of accounting packages / ERP systems with the GST system.
## Application Service Providers (ASPs)
- ASPs sit between the taxpayer and the GSP.
- They handle the end-user-facing application (data entry, workflows, business logic, compliance dashboards).
- ASPs partner with GSPs because the GSP holds the GSTN-API access.
## How they fit together
```
Taxpayer → ASP (business UI/UX, data preparation) → GSP (GSTN-API connector) → GSTN portal
```
## Why this layer exists
GSTN provides a generic portal. Industry needed specialised flows (manufacturing ERP-to-GSTN integration, CA-firm dashboards, e-commerce reconciliation tools). GSPs/ASPs let private innovation sit on top of GSTN's plumbing.
## Quick contrast
| Role | Who appoints | Talks directly to GSTN? | Customer-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSP | GSTN | Yes — has API access | Sometimes |
| ASP | Market (private) | No — goes through a GSP | Yes |