TL;DR
GraphQL and REST API are two different approaches to building APIs. REST is simpler and more mature, GraphQL offers flexibility and precise queries. Here's when to use which and how to choose the right solution for your project in 2026.
Who is this for
- Developers choosing API architecture
- Companies planning integrations with external systems
- Architects designing application backends
Keywords (SEO)
graphql vs rest, graphql api, rest api, when to use graphql, api design
What is REST API?
REST (Representational State Transfer) is an API architecture based on:
- Resources identified by URL
- HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
- Stateless communication
- Cacheable responses
REST Example:
GET /api/users/123
GET /api/users/123/posts
GET /api/posts/456/comments
REST Advantages:
- Simple and intuitive
- Well supported (libraries, tools)
- HTTP caching
- Standard HTTP methods
REST Disadvantages:
- Over-fetching (fetching too much data)
- Under-fetching (need for multiple requests)
- Rigid endpoint structure
What is GraphQL?
GraphQL is a query language and runtime for APIs:
- One endpoint for all queries
- Client specifies exactly what data it needs
- Strong type system
- Introspection (self-documenting)
GraphQL Example:
query {
user(id: 123) {
name
email
posts {
title
comments {
text
}
}
}
}
GraphQL Advantages:
- Precise queries (only needed data)
- Single endpoint
- Strong type system
- Real-time subscriptions
- Introspection
GraphQL Disadvantages:
- Higher complexity
- Harder caching
- Potential performance issues (N+1 queries)
- Requires more knowledge
When to Use REST API?
1. Simple Applications
Scenarios:
- CRUD operations
- Standard integrations
- Small projects
- Teams without GraphQL experience
Example:
- Blog with posts and comments
- Simple e-commerce
- API for mobile app
2. Caching is Critical
REST + HTTP Cache:
- CDN caching
- Browser cache
- Proxy cache
- Standard headers (ETag, Last-Modified)
GraphQL:
- Harder caching
- Requires custom solutions
- Less CDN support
3. Simple Integrations
REST is better when:
- Integrating with external APIs (most use REST)
- Webhooks (standard approach)
- Simple authorization (OAuth 2.0)
When to Use GraphQL?
1. Complex Queries
Scenarios:
- Different clients need different data
- Mobile app needs less data than web
- Dynamic user queries
Example:
# Mobile - only basic data
query {
user(id: 123) {
name
avatar
}
}
# Web - full data
query {
user(id: 123) {
name
email
posts { title }
followers { name }
}
}
2. Reducing Number of Requests
REST Problem:
GET /api/user/123
GET /api/user/123/posts
GET /api/user/123/followers
GET /api/user/123/settings
GraphQL Solution:
query {
user(id: 123) {
...userData
posts { ...postData }
followers { ...followerData }
settings { ...settingsData }
}
}
3. Real-time Subscriptions
GraphQL Subscriptions:
- WebSocket connections
- Real-time updates
- Ideal for chats, notifications, dashboards
Example:
subscription {
newMessage(roomId: 456) {
id
text
author { name }
}
}
Practical Comparison
Performance
REST:
- ✅ Simple caching
- ✅ CDN friendly
- ❌ Over-fetching
- ❌ Multiple requests
GraphQL:
- ✅ Single request
- ✅ Precise data
- ❌ Harder caching
- ❌ Potential N+1 queries
Developer Experience
REST:
- ✅ Easy to learn
- ✅ Lots of documentation
- ✅ Standard tools
- ❌ Rigid structure
GraphQL:
- ✅ Flexible queries
- ✅ Introspection
- ✅ Type safety
- ❌ Steeper learning curve
Scaling
REST:
- ✅ Easy scaling (cache)
- ✅ Standard load balancers
- ❌ More endpoints = more work
GraphQL:
- ✅ Single endpoint
- ✅ Flexible queries
- ❌ Requires optimization (DataLoader)
- ❌ Harder rate limiting
Best Practices
REST API
1. Conventions compliance:
GET /api/users # List
GET /api/users/123 # Details
POST /api/users # Create
PUT /api/users/123 # Update
DELETE /api/users/123 # Delete
2. Versioning:
/api/v1/users
/api/v2/users
3. Pagination:
GET /api/users?page=1&limit=20
4. Filtering:
GET /api/users?status=active&role=admin
GraphQL
1. Resolvers:
const resolvers = {
Query: {
user: async (parent, { id }) => {
return await getUserById(id);
}
},
User: {
posts: async (parent) => {
return await getPostsByUserId(parent.id);
}
}
};
2. DataLoader (N+1 problem):
const DataLoader = require('dataloader');
const userLoader = new DataLoader(async (ids) => {
const users = await getUsersByIds(ids);
return ids.map(id => users.find(u => u.id === id));
});
3. Rate limiting:
// Limit query complexity
const complexity = calculateComplexity(query);
if (complexity > MAX_COMPLEXITY) {
throw new Error('Query too complex');
}
4. Caching:
// Cache at resolver level
const cachedResolver = memoize(resolver, {
ttl: 3600,
key: (parent, args) => JSON.stringify(args)
});
Hybrid Approach
You can use both:
- REST for simple operations (CRUD)
- GraphQL for complex queries
- REST for public APIs
- GraphQL for internal APIs
Example:
/api/v1/users # REST - public API
/graphql # GraphQL - internal API
FAQ
Does GraphQL Replace REST?
No. They are different tools for different tasks. REST is better for simple APIs, GraphQL for complex queries.
Is GraphQL Slower?
It can be if not properly optimized (N+1 queries). With DataLoader and proper caching, it can be faster than REST.
When to Migrate from REST to GraphQL?
When:
- You have over-fetching/under-fetching problems
- You need real-time subscriptions
- Different clients need different data
- Team has GraphQL experience