Comparison
REST vs GraphQL: choosing your API style
Two approaches to building APIs, each with distinct strengths. Here's a practical comparison for your next project.
REST
Resource-based API architecture using HTTP methods. Simple, cacheable, and universally understood.
GraphQL
Query language for APIs by Meta. Clients request exactly the data they need with a single endpoint.
| Feature | REST | GraphQL |
|---|---|---|
| Simplicity | Simple — HTTP verbs + URLs | More complex — schema + resolvers |
| Flexibility | Fixed response shape | Client-defined queries |
| Over-fetching | Common — full resource returned | Eliminated — request what you need |
| Caching | Easy — HTTP caching | Complex — needs client-side cache |
| Tooling | Universal — any HTTP client | Specialized — Apollo, urql, Relay |
| Real-time | WebSockets or SSE (separate) | Subscriptions (built-in) |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate |
| Error Handling | HTTP status codes | Custom error handling |
When to choose each
Choose REST
Choose REST when building simple CRUD APIs, when HTTP caching is important, when your API is public-facing, or when simplicity and team familiarity are priorities.
Choose GraphQL
Choose GraphQL when your frontend needs flexible data fetching, you have complex relationships between entities, or you serve multiple clients (web, mobile, third-party).
Our verdict
We use REST for most projects — it's simpler, more cacheable, and with Next.js Server Components, over-fetching is less of an issue. We reach for GraphQL when the data relationships are complex or multiple clients need different data shapes.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to start your project?
Let's talk about your idea and build something people love.
Book a free call →