REST vs GraphQL

Make an informed decision between REST and GraphQL for your API. Compare data fetching efficiency, type safety, tooling, caching, and team considerations to choose the right approach.

Usage

Describe your API requirements and constraints to get a recommendation on whether REST or GraphQL is the better fit.

Examples

• "Should my new API use REST or GraphQL?"
• "What are the caching differences between REST and GraphQL?"
• "Can I use both REST and GraphQL in the same application?"

Guidelines

• REST is simpler and better understood with excellent HTTP caching support
• GraphQL excels when clients have diverse data needs or you have many entities
• Consider your team's experience and the available tooling for your stack
• GraphQL adds complexity in caching, file uploads, and error handling
• You can start with REST and add GraphQL later for specific use cases