GraphQL vs REST: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Use?

Choosing the right API design approach is critical for performance, scalability, and developer experience. Two major paradigms dominate the field: GraphQL and REST.

This post breaks down the key differences between them, along with guidance on when to use each.

What Is REST?

REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and stateless communication.

• Resources are represented via URLs (e.g., /users/123)

• Responses follow a fixed structure, often in JSON

• Widely supported and standardized

What Is GraphQL?

GraphQL is a query language and runtime developed by Facebook. It allows clients to request exactly the data they need—nothing more, nothing less.

• Uses a single endpoint (e.g., /graphql)

• Client specifies structure of the response

• Strongly typed schema with introspection

Key Differences

Feature	REST	GraphQL
Endpoint Design	Multiple endpoints	Single endpoint
Data Fetching	Fixed responses	Client-defined queries
Over/Under-fetching	Common issue	Solved via flexible queries
Versioning	Often uses URI versioning	Evolves via schema
Tooling	Mature and broad support	Rapidly growing ecosystem
Learning Curve	Low	Moderate

Pros and Cons

REST Pros:

• Simpler caching via HTTP

• Easier to inspect/debug with browser tools

• Familiar to most developers

REST Cons:

• Over-fetching or under-fetching data

• Rigid structure

GraphQL Pros:

• Highly flexible data queries

• Strong typing and documentation built-in

• Great for complex, nested data

GraphQL Cons:

• Complex queries can affect performance

• Requires custom caching and error handling

• Harder to secure improperly implemented APIs

When to Use REST

• You need simplicity and broad tooling support

• Your data structure is flat and stable

• You want strong HTTP cacheability and debugging tools

When to Use GraphQL

• You’re building modern apps with dynamic UI needs

• You need to fetch deeply nested or relational data

• You want schema-driven development and fewer endpoints

Final Thoughts

Both REST and GraphQL are powerful in the right context. REST remains a great default for many APIs, while GraphQL shines in complex, client-driven applications.

Don’t treat it as one-versus-the-other—many companies use both where they fit best. Start with your use case, and choose the tool that makes your API more efficient, maintainable, and developer-friendly.