Understanding the differences between GraphQL vs REST (Representational State Transfer) helps you make an informed decision about your application’s architecture and performance.

Both are popular approaches for designing web services, and many teams successfully use one or both depending on their needs. Learn more about each to choose the best solution for your project.

In brief:

• GraphQL excels in precise data fetching and reducing network overhead, while REST is simple, supports caching, and is compatible with existing systems.
• Your chosen approach should depend on project complexity, team expertise, and specific data needs.
• Many successful projects use both technologies, leveraging REST’s simplicity and GraphQL’s flexibility.
• Strapi v5 supports both GraphQL and REST, giving you flexibility to choose the right approach. Recent updates, including SSO authentication, enhance Strapi v5’s capabilities, making it adaptable to both technologies.

What Are GraphQL and REST?

GraphQL is a query language for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need, using a type system defined by the server.

Representational State Transfer (REST) is an architectural style for building web services that interact over HTTP. In REST, clients access resources using standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.

GraphQL Explained

GraphQL, developed by Facebook in 2012, centralizes API interactions around a strongly typed schema written in Schema Definition Language (SDL).

Key features of GraphQL include:

• A single endpoint architecture (e.g., /graphql)
• A schema-first design that defines available data types and relationships
• Queries defined by the client, allowing them to specify exactly what data they need
• Hierarchical data retrieval, enabling the fetching of related data in one request

GraphQL abstracts resource-specific URLs into a unified interface, letting clients shape their responses. This makes GraphQL ideal for applications with complex data requirements or those seeking to reduce network requests.

REST Explained

REST has been a key approach to web API design for over a decade. This architectural style organizes APIs around resources, each accessible through dedicated endpoints.

Key characteristics of REST include:

• Multiple endpoints, each mapped to a specific resource (e.g., /users, /posts)
• Standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for actions on resources
• Stateless interactions, where each request is independent
• A uniform interface for resource identification and manipulation through URLs

REST’s alignment with core web standards has made it widely adopted. Its resource-centric model is ideal for applications with simple data structures and CRUD operations.

Here's how each technology handles updating a user's profile and posts, illustrating the practical differences between GraphQL and REST.

Key Differences Between GraphQL and REST

Key differences in API architecture, data fetching, flexibility, and error handling directly impact how your application communicates with backend services.

Understanding these aspects of REST and GraphQL helps you select the best API approach for your project’s specific requirements.

Here are some key differences between the two technologies at a glance:

Architectural Style

REST organizes APIs around resources, each with its own dedicated endpoint. This resource-centric model features:

• Multiple endpoints for different resources (e.g., /users/123 or /posts/456)
• Standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for different actions
• Stateless interactions, where each request stands alone

GraphQL takes a different approach:

• Uses a single endpoint (typically /graphql)
• Employs a schema-first design that defines all data types and relationships
• Allows clients to define exactly what data they want in each query
• Supports hierarchical data retrieval, enabling related data to be fetched in a single request

Data Fetching

The way data is fetched is one of the most significant differences between REST and GraphQL.

With REST:

• Endpoints return fixed data structures defined by the server.
• Clients may receive complete resource representations, even if they only need a few fields.
• Over-fetching (getting more data than necessary) and under-fetching (requiring multiple requests) are common issues.

GraphQL flips this model:

• Clients define the data they need in each request.
• A single query can retrieve data from multiple resources.
• Responses are shaped exactly as requested, eliminating over-fetching and under-fetching.

For example, a GraphQL query like:

1query User {
2  user(id: "123") {
3    name
4    posts {
5      title
6    }
7  }
8}

will return only the user's name and post titles, nothing more.

Flexibility and Evolution

REST often requires versioning to maintain backward compatibility as APIs evolve. This means managing multiple API versions, which can complicate development. GraphQL is more flexible. You can extend the schema with new fields and types without breaking existing queries, which reduces versioning complexity and enables gradual API evolution.

Error Handling

Error handling differs in how the two approaches report issues.

REST APIs use HTTP status codes to signal what happened with a request:

1{
2  "status": 404,
3  "error": "Not Found",
4  "message": "User with ID 3 not found."
5}

GraphQL always returns a 200 OK status (unless there's a network or server error) and includes errors in the response:

1{
2  "data": { "user": null },
3  "errors": [
4    {
5      "message": "User with ID 3 not found.",
6      "locations": [{ "line": 2, "column": 3 }],
7      "path": ["user"]
8    }
9  ]
10}

GraphQL’s error format allows partial data to be returned alongside error information, providing more granular error handling options.

Performance

Both technologies have performance strengths:

• REST shines when HTTP caching reduces server load for frequently accessed resources.
• GraphQL reduces network overhead by consolidating multiple requests, which is especially valuable for mobile apps or limited bandwidth situations.

Pros and Cons of GraphQL and REST

Choosing between GraphQL and REST means understanding where each shines and where they might introduce challenges. Here’s what to consider for each technology:

GraphQL Pros and Cons

GraphQL stands out for its flexibility and efficiency, especially when working with complex or highly relational data. Developers appreciate how it streamlines data fetching and adapts to evolving frontend needs:

• Clients can request exactly the data they need, reducing unnecessary data transfer.
• A single query can retrieve related or nested data from multiple resources, minimizing network requests.
• Strongly typed schemas create clear contracts between client and server, improving tooling and documentation.
• The API can evolve smoothly, allowing new fields to be added without breaking existing queries.

However, GraphQL isn’t always the simplest solution. Developers should be aware of potential drawbacks:

• The learning curve can be steep, with new concepts and query syntax to master.
• For basic CRUD operations or simple APIs, GraphQL may add unnecessary complexity.
• Traditional HTTP caching is less effective, so caching often requires custom strategies.
• Without careful query constraints, clients can request deeply nested or expensive data, which may impact server performance.

REST Pros and Cons

REST remains a popular choice for its straightforward, resource-based approach and broad ecosystem support. It’s a great fit for many standard web applications:

• Its design is widely understood and easy to implement.
• Built-in HTTP caching improves performance for frequently accessed resources.
• Statelessness makes it easy to scale and distribute requests across servers.
• A mature ecosystem of tools and community resources streamlines development and testing.

That said, REST can present limitations, particularly for modern applications with complex data requirements:

• Fixed response structures can result in over-fetching or under-fetching data.
• Retrieving complex or related data often requires multiple API calls, increasing latency.
• Evolving the API may require creating new endpoints or changing URLs, which can add maintenance overhead.

When to Use GraphQL or REST

This section explores practical scenarios where each technology excels and how they integrate with popular frameworks and application types.

GraphQL Use Cases

GraphQL is especially effective for the following use cases:

• Handling Complex Data Requirements: When clients need related or nested data from multiple resources in a single request, GraphQL’s flexible queries are invaluable. This is common in applications like e-commerce, social networks, or dashboards, where data relationships are complex and dynamic.
• Reducing Network Requests: GraphQL lets clients request exactly the fields they need, avoiding over-fetching or under-fetching that often occurs with REST endpoints.
• Adapting to Changing Front-End Needs: Front-end teams can modify queries to get new data without requiring backend changes, speeding up development and iteration.
• Implementing Real-Time Updates: GraphQL subscriptions provide a standardized way to handle live data, making it straightforward to build real-time features like notifications, chat, or live dashboards.

Domains such as e-commerce and education benefit from GraphQL’s flexibility, especially when integrating with AI tools or managing complex data relationships.

REST Use Cases

REST APIs are a strong choice for:

• Simple CRUD Applications: REST’s resource-based structure is ideal for straightforward Create, Read, Update, and Delete operations, such as blogging platforms or basic content management systems.
• Public APIs: REST’s simplicity and use of standard HTTP methods and status codes make it well-suited for public-facing APIs that require broad compatibility across platforms and languages.
• Mobile Applications with Bandwidth Constraints: REST supports HTTP caching, which can reduce data transfer and improve performance for mobile apps in low-bandwidth environments.
• Microservices Architectures: REST’s clear separation of services through well-defined endpoints is a natural fit for loosely coupled microservices.

For example, a blogging platform that handles basic CRUD operations like posting, editing, and deleting content can efficiently use REST’s endpoint-based approach.

Integrating GraphQL and REST with Popular Front-End Frameworks

Both GraphQL and REST integrate seamlessly with leading front-end frameworks, but the approach and developer experience differ.

The examples below illustrate how GraphQL and REST differ in integration with frameworks.

While REST relies on traditional HTTP requests, GraphQL benefits from client libraries with built-in features like caching and real-time updates. You can streamline this integration by adopting tools like Strapi for your back-end, whether you're using REST or GraphQL.

Below are practical examples of how to connect each API style with three JavaScript front-end frameworks: React, Vue, and Angular.

React

To fetch data from a REST API in React, developers often use Axios within a useEffect hook:

1import axios from 'axios';
2import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
3
4function UserList() {
5  const [users, setUsers] = useState([]);
6
7  useEffect(() => {
8    axios.get('https://api.example.com/users')
9      .then(response => setUsers(response.data))
10      .catch(error => console.error('Error fetching users:', error));
11  }, []);
12
13  return (
14    <ul>
15      {users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
16    </ul>
17  );
18}

For GraphQL, React developers commonly use Apollo Client to manage queries and state:

1import { useQuery } from '@apollo/client';
2import { gql } from 'graphql-tag';
3
4const GET_USERS = gql`
5  query GetUsers {
6    users {
7      id
8      name
9    }
10  }
11`;
12
13function UserList() {
14  const { loading, error, data } = useQuery(GET_USERS);
15
16  if (loading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
17  if (error) return <p>Error :(</p>;
18
19  return (
20    <ul>
21      {data.users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
22    </ul>
23  );
24}

Vue

In Vue, RESTful data fetching is typically handled with Axios inside lifecycle hooks:

1<template>
2  <ul>
3    <li v-for="user in users" :key="user.id">{{ user.name }}</li>
4  </ul>
5</template>
6
7<script>
8import axios from 'axios';
9
10export default {
11  data() {
12    return {
13      users: []
14    }
15  },
16  created() {
17    axios.get('https://api.example.com/users')
18      .then(response => this.users = response.data)
19      .catch(error => console.error('Error fetching users:', error));
20  }
21}
22</script>

For GraphQL integration, Vue developers often use Vue Apollo, which provides declarative data fetching:

1<template>
2  <ul>
3    <li v-for="user in users" :key="user.id">{{ user.name }}</li>
4  </ul>
5</template>
6
7<script>
8import gql from 'graphql-tag';
9
10export default {
11  apollo: {
12    users: gql`
13      query GetUsers {
14        users {
15          id
16          name
17        }
18      }
19    `
20  }
21}
22</script>

Angular

Angular uses its built-in HttpClient to interact with REST APIs:

1import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
2import { HttpClient } from '@angular/common/http';
3
4@Component({
5  selector: 'app-user-list',
6  template: `
7    <ul>
8      <li *ngFor="let user of users">{{ user.name }}</li>
9    </ul>
10  `
11})
12export class UserListComponent implements OnInit {
13  users: any[] = [];
14
15  constructor(private http: HttpClient) {}
16
17  ngOnInit() {
18    this.http.get<any[]>('https://api.example.com/users')
19      .subscribe(
20        data => this.users = data,
21        error => console.error('Error fetching users:', error)
22      );
23  }
24}

For GraphQL, Apollo Angular offers a straightforward way to fetch data with queries:

1import { Component } from '@angular/core';
2import { Apollo, gql } from 'apollo-angular';
3
4const GET_USERS = gql`
5  query GetUsers {
6    users {
7      id
8      name
9    }
10  }
11`;
12
13@Component({
14  selector: 'app-user-list',
15  template: `
16    <ul>
17      <li *ngFor="let user of users">{{ user.name }}</li>
18    </ul>
19  `
20})
21export class UserListComponent {
22  users: any[] = [];
23
24  constructor(private apollo: Apollo) {}
25
26  ngOnInit() {
27    this.apollo.watchQuery<any>({
28      query: GET_USERS
29    }).valueChanges.subscribe(({ data }) => {
30      this.users = data.users;
31    });
32  }
33}

Making the Right Choice for Your Project

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice of architecture between GraphQL vs REST depends on your project's needs, your team's skills, and your long-term goals.

GraphQL excels in handling complex data requirements, reducing network overhead, and offering a flexible, strongly-typed schema that evolves with your app.

REST is best for simplicity, broad compatibility, and adherence to HTTP standards. It works well for straightforward CRUD operations, public APIs, and cases where caching improves performance.

Many teams use both technologies in different parts of their systems. Strapi v5 supports both REST and GraphQL APIs out of the box, so you can choose the right tool for each scenario and host your application on Strapi Cloud.

Explore Strapi v5’s features and detailed documentation at the Strapi v5 documentation hub.

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