GraphQL vs REST
TL;DR: GraphQL gives flexibility and efficiency, while REST is simple and well-established.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GraphQL | REST |
|---|---|---|
| Data Fetching | Single endpoint, client defines response shape | Multiple endpoints, fixed responses |
| Over-fetching | None - you get exactly what you ask for | Common, often retrieving unused fields |
| Versioning | No versioning needed - evolve the schema | New versions created for changes (v1, v2, etc.) |
| Real-Time Support | Built-in via subscriptions | Requires workarounds (WebSockets, polling) |
Use GraphQL When...
- Your UI is complex and data-heavy
- You need to iterate fast without breaking clients
- You want strong typing and introspection tools
Use REST When...
- You need something simple and widely supported
- Your endpoints are stable and rarely change
- You don’t need advanced query flexibility
Updated 5 months ago