When to Use GraphQL vs REST?

In the GraphQL vs REST battle, the latter is often cited as a point of reference. However, many advocates in favor of the more advanced technology GraphQL supposedly boasts. How do these two API design architectures really stack up against one another?

In this article, we will look at the differences and similarities between both solutions and compare their benefits and limitations. Let us try and determine which one truly surpasses the other or certain automation needs may call for one solution in particular.

What is REST?

REST operates on the logic that everything is a resource identified by a URL. In the REST paradigm, the textual representations of web resources can be manipulated by RESTful web service systems. To that end, the architecture relies on a predefined set of stateless operations such as POST, PUT, DELETE, GET, etc. For instance, one would put a GET request through to the resource’s URL. The response would then arrive in a JSON format, or in any format, the API calls for.

The main benefit of REST is that it is scalable and decouples client and server, allowing developers to work on products and applications independently. Compatible with a wide range of formats, it can meet a variety of needs.

A key issue, however, is that multiple requests must be sent in order to access and combine data from different endpoints. In addition, developers often have to deal with over-fetching (information downloaded in excess of what the application needs) and under-fetching (not enough information received by the client, which then has to make several requests.

Examples of REST API

• Public APIs: The GitHub API allows you to fetch repositories, user profiles, and commit histories.
• Enterprise Use Cases: Many internal business applications use REST APIs for data management, like fetching employee records or processing orders.
• Content Management: Platforms like WordPress and Strapi use REST APIs to manage content, allowing for seamless integration with various front-end frameworks.

What is GraphQL ?

The GraphQL vs REST debate stems from the fact that GraphQL is ruled by the same constraints as REST APIs. What sets it apart, however, is that the data is organized in a single graph-type interface. The GraphQL schema is used to define objects in the form of nodes, whose relationships are represented by edges within the graph. A resolver then backs up the object and accesses the data on the server. The implication is that the GraphQL query language gives the option to tailor requests to some very particular requirements.

This architecture solves any performance issues related to overfetching by allowing the user to receive only the data they specifically requested. In addition, several entities can be combined into a single query. GraphQL has the merit of accommodating client-side changes without impacting the server by making it possible to have rapid product iterations on the front-end.

As for the back-end, developers who use GraphQL gain significant insight into any data request and into how the available data is being used. Thanks to GraphQL, developers can improve API performance by deprecating disused fields, since every client can specify the exact information they require. The client is directly informed as to how it can access the data in question and, since its structure is known both by the front-end and the back-end teams, they are not co-dependent.

Yet, because this architecture doesn’t follow HTTP caching specifications and uses a single endpoint, network-level caching is compromised. With that said, caching does remain possible thanks to several workarounds. For instance, identifiers can be derived from globally unique IDs. Caching can be done at the client level, at the individual resolver level, at the whole response level, etc. Finally, because it adds a level of complexity, GraphQL isn’t always the best answer to some simple API needs.

Examples of GraphQL API

• Industry Adoption: Companies like Facebook, GitHub, and Shopify use GraphQL to power their APIs, providing more efficient and flexible data fetching.
• Practical Applications: A typical use case is fetching user profiles where you can request only the fields you need, reducing the amount of data transferred and improving performance.

What is the Difference Between GraphQL vs REST?

The core difference between GraphQL and REST API is that the former is a specification, a query language, as well as a set of tools that utilizes HTTP to operate over a single endpoint. REST, on the other hand, serves as an architectural concept used to implement web services. Recently, GraphQL has been employed to optimize the performance and flexibility of existing APIs, whereas REST has often been the option of choice to create new ones.

Endpoint vs. Query

REST APIs use multiple endpoints for different resources, while GraphQL uses a single endpoint with flexible queries.

• REST Endpoints: /users, /posts, etc., each endpoint corresponds to a resource.
• GraphQL Queries: A single endpoint where you specify exactly what data you need.

Versioning and Evolution

Versioning can be a headache in REST APIs, but GraphQL handles it more gracefully.

• REST Versioning: Often requires creating new endpoints like /v2/users, which can get messy.
• GraphQL Schema Evolution: Allows for adding new fields and types without breaking existing queries.

Error Handling

Error handling is different in REST and GraphQL, and understanding these differences is crucial for robust API development.

• REST Status Codes: Uses HTTP status codes like 404 and 500 to indicate errors.
• GraphQL Error Responses: Returns a 200 status code with error details in the response body, making it easier to handle errors consistently.

Performance Considerations

Performance is a key factor when choosing an API architecture. Both REST and GraphQL have their own set of performance considerations.

• Latency and Bandwidth: GraphQL can reduce latency and bandwidth by fetching only the required data.
• Processing Overhead: REST APIs might have lower processing overhead, making them more efficient for simple, straightforward tasks.

Types of Data Fetching in REST and GraphQL

When it comes to data fetching, REST and GraphQL have fundamentally different approaches. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision.

REST Data Fetching

REST APIs use endpoint-based fetching. Each endpoint corresponds to a specific resource, like /users or /posts. This can lead to over-fetching or under-fetching of data, where you either get more data than you need or have to make multiple requests to get all the data you want.

• Over-fetching: You request a user’s profile and get their posts, comments, and likes, even if you only needed their name and email.
• Under-fetching: You need a user’s profile and their recent posts, but you have to make separate requests to /users and /posts.

GraphQL Data Fetching

GraphQL uses query-based fetching. You define a query specifying exactly what data you need, and the server responds with only that data. This makes data fetching more efficient and reduces the number of requests you need to make.

• Specific Data Retrieval: You can request a user’s name, email, and their last three posts in a single query.
• Efficiency: Reduces the amount of data transferred and the number of requests, improving performance.

Security Considerations for REST and GraphQL

Security is a top concern for any API. Both REST and GraphQL have their own security considerations that you need to be aware of.

REST Security

REST APIs have mature security controls, but you still need to implement best practices.

• Authentication and Authorization: Use OAuth or JWT for secure authentication.
• Rate Limiting: Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse and ensure fair usage.

GraphQL Security

GraphQL introduces new security concerns, but there are ways to manage them effectively.

• Query Complexity Management: Limit query depth and complexity to prevent abuse.
• Data Protection: Use authentication and authorization to secure your data, just like you would with REST.

When to Choose REST API?

REST APIs are a solid choice for many applications, especially when you need simplicity and well-defined operations.

• Simplicity and Ease of Use: If you need a straightforward, easy-to-implement solution, REST is a great choice.
• Well-defined Operations: REST is ideal for applications with well-defined, stable data structures.

When to Choose GraphQL API?

GraphQL shines when you have complex data requirements and need flexibility in your API interactions.

• Complex Data Requirements: If you need to fetch specific data and avoid over-fetching, GraphQL is the way to go.
• Need for Flexibility: GraphQL’s flexible queries make it easier to adapt to changing requirements.

The bottom line is that for anyone serious about creating automation, wondering whether to favor GraphQL vs REST is perfectly warranted. While the learning curve is undeniable and GraphQL is not as established as REST, being able to sort through the data before it is even fetched has great advantages. Without having to process large amounts of data, the performance also increases when using GraphQL, which can translate into huge wins once at scale.

This is why Strapi chooses to offer both options. Whether you wish to build your content API using RESTful or GraphQL, Strapi strives to bring you the most customizable experience in content management solutions.

Install Strapi now and start creating flexible data structures, writing, editing, and managing any content types, and building the apps you want, with complete freedom.