Explore the differences between GraphQL and REST APIs. Learn how to decide which API architecture is best for your project based on data fetching, performance, flexibility, and more.
REST (Representational State Transfer) is a traditional API architecture using standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.
GraphQL is a query language for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need.
REST fetches fixed data structures from endpoints, while GraphQL lets you specify the exact fields you want.
REST can lead to overfetching (too much data) or underfetching (too little data), whereas GraphQL avoids this by letting clients tailor requests.
GraphQL offers more flexibility by allowing multiple resources to be fetched in a single query, reducing the number of requests.
REST often requires versioning (v1, v2) for changes, while GraphQL evolves without breaking changes by adding new fields and types.
GraphQL can improve performance by reducing the number of network requests, though complex queries can be slower to resolve.
REST benefits from built-in HTTP caching, while caching in GraphQL requires additional configuration.
GraphQL supports real-time updates via subscriptions, which is harder to implement with REST.
REST uses standard HTTP status codes for errors, while GraphQL provides detailed error messages in the response.
REST APIs often rely on external documentation, whereas GraphQL APIs can be self-documented through introspection.
Both REST and GraphQL require robust security measures, but GraphQL can expose sensitive data if not properly configured.
Choose REST for simplicity and well-defined endpoints, or GraphQL for flexibility and efficient data fetching tailored to client needs.