REST API vs GraphQL

What's the Difference?

Ever wondered how your favorite apps retrieve data so seamlessly? Behind the scenes, developers use tools to connect the frontend (what you see) with the backend (the server and database). Two popular methods for this connection are REST API and GraphQL. Let’s explore their differences in simple terms and help you decide which one suits your needs.

What is REST API?

REST (Representational State Transfer) is a set of rules for how clients (like a mobile app or website) communicate with servers. Each type of data has its own unique URL, called an endpoint.

For example:

• To get user data, you might fetch from /users.
• To get their orders, you’d fetch from /users/orders.

Pros of REST:

• Easy to understand: REST is straightforward and widely used.
• Reliable: Great for simple apps with clear data needs.
• Strong community and tooling

Cons of REST:

• Over-fetching: Sometimes you get more data than needed.
• Under-fetching: You may need multiple requests to get all the data you want.

What is GraphQL?

GraphQL is a newer and more flexible way to interact with servers. Instead of relying on fixed URLs, you write a query that tells the server exactly what data you need.

For example:

• You can request a user’s name and their orders in a single query, and the server will send back just that data – nothing more, nothing less.

Pros of GraphQL:

• Flexible: Get exactly the data you need in one request.
• Efficient: No over-fetching or under-fetching.

Cons of GraphQL:

• More complex to set up: Requires additional effort to configure initially.
• Overkill for small apps: May be unnecessary if your app has simple data needs.

Key Differences

Which One Should You Use?

• Choose REST: If you’re building something simple and don’t need much customization, REST is a reliable and familiar option.
• Choose GraphQL: If your app requires flexibility or deals with complex, interconnected data, GraphQL offers the precision and efficiency you need.
  In practice, many modern applications use both REST and GraphQL, depending on the specific requirements of each feature. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will empower you to make the best choice for your project.