REST vs GraphQL

aspect rest graphql data fetching fixed responses rest api calls retrieve entire sets of data, even if only part of it is needed flexible requests graphql allows clients to specify exactly the data they need, reducing excess data transfer network efficiency multiple requests rest often requires multiple api calls to fetch related data from different endpoints single request graphql uses a single endpoint and can aggregate related data in one call, improving speed endpoint structure multiple endpoints each resource has a dedicated endpoint, which increases complexity over time single endpoint all data queries go through a single graphql endpoint, simplifying api structure data transfer size higher payloads rest apis may return more data than necessary due to predefined structures reduced payloads graphql minimizes data returned, enhancing performance versioning frequent versioning rest apis often require version updates to introduce changes, leading to maintenance overhead versionless evolution graphql apis can evolve by adding new fields and types without disrupting existing queries error handling error prone for nested data rest requires multiple calls for nested data, which can complicate error management ​ streamlined graphql handles errors within the response, even when requesting nested fields learning curve familiar to most rest has been around longer and may feel more intuitive for those with api experience easy to adopt graphql’s single endpoint and query language are straightforward to learn, with a growing support community ​ why moving to graphql is a low risk, high benefit transition why moving to graphql is a low risk, high benefit transition ​ moving to graphql api offers several advantages that can enhance both performance and user experience ​ improved efficiency graphql reduces the amount of data transferred and the number of network calls, leading to faster load times simplified api structure with a single graphql endpoint, development teams will experience reduced complexity, allowing the client’s technical team to manage data interactions more easily future proofing the flexibility in graphql allows for api evolution without requiring disruptive version changes, thereby reducing long term maintenance and development work enhanced security control graphql’s field level access control enables more precise security, allowing customers to tailor data exposure to specific needs without adjusting multiple endpoints ease of learning and support although relatively new, graphql has extensive resources and community support that make adoption straightforward teams transitioning from rest will find graphql’s query language and structure intuitive, particularly with the single endpoint model