REST vs GraphQL: When to Use What

REST vs GraphQL: When to Use What

Choosing between REST and GraphQL can be challenging. Let's explore the pros and cons of each.

REST APIs

Advantages - Simple and well-established - Easy to cache - Great for simple CRUD operations - Excellent tooling and documentation

Disadvantages - Over-fetching of data - Under-fetching requiring multiple requests - Versioning challenges

GraphQL

Advantages - Precise data fetching - Single endpoint - Strong typing - Excellent for complex queries

Disadvantages - Steeper learning curve - Caching complexity - Query complexity management needed

When to Use REST

• Simple CRUD applications
• Public APIs with simple requirements
• When caching is critical
• Team unfamiliar with GraphQL

When to Use GraphQL

• Complex data relationships
• Mobile applications with bandwidth concerns
• Rapid frontend iteration
• Multiple client types

Hybrid Approach

Consider using both REST and GraphQL in your application for different use cases.

Conclusion

Neither is universally better. Choose based on your specific requirements.