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Architecture Matrix
REST vs GraphQL: API Architecture Comparison
Evaluate architectural trade-offs between traditional endpoint-based RESTful services and flexible single-endpoint GraphQL schemas.
Feature & Performance Breakdown
| Feature / Metric | REST API | GraphQL | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over/Under Fetching | Common issue with fixed endpoints | Eliminated: client requests exact fields | GraphQL |
| HTTP Caching | Trivial with standard HTTP GET / ETag | Complex, requires specialized client cache | REST API |
| Learning Curve | Low, universal standard | Moderate, requires schema definitions | REST API |
| Multiple Resources | Requires multiple HTTP roundtrips | Single query fetches multiple entities | GraphQL |
When to Choose REST API:
- •Simple CRUD applications
- •When standard HTTP caching is critical
- •Public APIs exposed to diverse external clients
When to Choose GraphQL:
- •Complex dashboards requiring multiple aggregated services
- •Mobile apps on constrained bandwidth
- •Microservices federation (Apollo Federation)