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Architecture Matrix
GraphQL vs tRPC: End-to-End Type-Safe API Comparison
Compare GraphQL (language-agnostic query specification with schema definition) with tRPC (zero-schema, end-to-end TypeScript type inference for fullstack apps).
Feature & Performance Breakdown
| Feature / Metric | GraphQL | tRPC | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Portability | Polyglot: clients in Swift, Kotlin, Python, JS | TypeScript-only (monorepo or shared package) | GraphQL |
| Code Generation Overhead | Requires build-step code generation (GraphQL Codegen) | Zero build step: direct TypeScript type inference | tRPC |
| Setup & Boilerplate | High: schemas, resolvers, types, client SDKs | Near zero: define router functions and export AppRouter | tRPC |
| Network Overhead | POST requests with full query AST text | Standard HTTP GET/POST with query parameters and batching | tRPC |
| Public API Suitability | Excellent for public 3rd-party developer APIs | Not designed for public untyped third parties | GraphQL |
When to Choose GraphQL:
- •Polyglot tech stacks where frontend is mobile/desktop and backend is Go/Rust/Java
- •Public APIs exposed to external third-party developers
- •Large microservice meshes using Apollo Federation
When to Choose tRPC:
- •Fullstack Next.js, Nuxt, or Remix applications written in 100% TypeScript
- •Fast-moving startups wanting immediate refactoring type safety
- •Projects where writing GraphQL schemas feels like unnecessary boilerplate