REST vs GraphQL: Which API Architecture Should You Choose?
REST is simpler, GraphQL is more flexible - but which API architecture matches your data complexity? A comparison from real-world practice.
REST is simpler, more widely understood, and ideal for public APIs. GraphQL offers more flexibility and efficiency for complex frontends. The choice depends on the complexity of your data relationships and the importance of flexible data fetching.
REST
An architectural style for APIs based on HTTP methods and resource-oriented endpoints, the de-facto standard for web APIs.
GraphQL
A query language for APIs developed by Meta that allows clients to request exactly the data they need through a single endpoint.
What are the key differences between REST and GraphQL?
| Feature | REST | GraphQL |
|---|---|---|
| Data fetching | Fixed per endpoint - risk of over/under-fetching | Client determines exactly which fields are fetched |
| Learning curve | Low - based on familiar HTTP concepts | Moderate - new query paradigm and schema definition |
| Caching | Simple via HTTP caching and CDN | More complex - requires client-side caching (Apollo, urql) |
| Documentation | Requires separate tools (Swagger/OpenAPI) | Introspection - schema is self-documenting |
| Real-time | Possible via WebSockets or SSE (separate) | Built-in via Subscriptions |
When to choose which?
Choose REST when...
Choose REST when building public APIs consumed by third-party developers who expect standard HTTP conventions. REST is also the better choice for simple CRUD operations, microservice communication, and projects where HTTP caching via CDN is critical for performance and simplicity reduces onboarding time.
Choose GraphQL when...
Choose GraphQL when your frontend combines data from multiple backend services into a single view, or when mobile clients need to minimize bandwidth by requesting only specific fields. GraphQL excels in applications with deeply nested data relationships and teams that benefit from a self-documenting typed schema.
What is the verdict on REST vs GraphQL?
REST is simpler, more widely understood, and ideal for public APIs. GraphQL offers more flexibility and efficiency for complex frontends. The choice depends on the complexity of your data relationships and the importance of flexible data fetching.
Which option does MG Software recommend?
MG Software chooses REST as the default for most projects due to its simplicity and ecosystem. For applications with complex data relationships or when multiple frontends share the same API, we implement GraphQL. Supabase also provides us with auto-generated REST and GraphQL endpoints.
Migrating: what to consider?
Migrating from REST to GraphQL can be done incrementally. Start with a GraphQL gateway that wraps existing REST endpoints, allowing the frontend to gradually switch. Tools like Apollo Federation enable exposing REST services as GraphQL subgraphs without immediately rewriting backend logic.
Frequently asked questions
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