Explore similarities and differences between GraphQL and REST. Learn which API style suits your web development needs best with examples and practical advice.
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API design is crucial in modern web development. Two prominent API styles—GraphQL and REST—offer different approaches to querying and manipulating data. But which one is right for your project? Let’s explore a practical comparison between GraphQL and REST, examining their key concepts, pros, cons, and use cases.
REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for designing networked applications. It uses standard HTTP methods—GET, POST, PUT, DELETE—to perform operations on resources represented by URLs.
/users/1
).// Fetch a user
GET /users/1
GraphQL is a query language and server-side runtime developed by Facebook. It offers a flexible way to interact with data by allowing clients to specify exactly what information they need.
/graphql
.{
user(id: 1) {
id
name
email
}
}
Feature | REST | GraphQL |
---|---|---|
Endpoints | Multiple (per resource) | Single (all queries/mutations) |
Data Fetching | Returns fixed data structure | Client defines response shape |
Over/Under Fetching | Common (extra or missing fields) | Rare (fetch only what you need) |
Versioning | Often uses versioned URLs | No versioning, evolve types/fields |
Caching | Easy with HTTP caching | More challenging, custom solutions |
Both GraphQL and REST have unique strengths and shortcomings. REST is ideal for straightforward, well-cached APIs, while GraphQL excels in complex, data-driven applications. Your choice should be guided by your project’s complexity, performance requirements, and team expertise.