REST vs GraphQL
REST and GraphQL solve the same basic problem - letting a client fetch and modify data over HTTP - with different philosophies. REST organizes an API around fixed resource endpoints; GraphQL exposes a single endpoint where the client specifies exactly what data it needs.
REST remains the simpler, more predictable choice for straightforward APIs, especially public ones where HTTP caching and simplicity matter.
Side by side
| REST | GraphQL | |
|---|---|---|
| Data fetching | Fixed response shape per endpoint - often over- or under-fetches | Client specifies exact fields needed - no over-fetching |
| Number of endpoints | Many, one per resource/action | Typically one |
| Caching | Simple - standard HTTP caching works out of the box | More complex - needs client-side cache libraries (Apollo, Relay) |
| Versioning | Common to version endpoints (/v1/, /v2/) | Usually versionless - fields are added, deprecated fields marked |
| Learning curve | Lower - maps directly to familiar HTTP verbs | Higher - requires learning schema/query language |
| Best fit | Simple CRUD APIs, public APIs, when caching matters | Complex UIs with varied data needs, mobile apps minimizing payload size |
The verdict
REST remains the simpler, more predictable choice for straightforward APIs, especially public ones where HTTP caching and simplicity matter. GraphQL earns its added complexity when a frontend genuinely needs to fetch varied, nested data shapes efficiently - particularly for mobile clients where minimizing payload size and request count matters most.
Frequently asked questions
01Do I have to choose one exclusively?
No - many production systems expose both, using GraphQL for complex frontend data needs and REST for simpler integrations or webhooks.
02Is GraphQL always slower than REST?
Not inherently - but a poorly designed GraphQL schema can allow expensive, deeply nested queries that are hard to optimize, which requires more careful backend design than REST typically does.
03Which is better for a public API?
REST is usually preferred for public APIs - it's easier for third-party developers to understand and caches better at the HTTP level.