GraphQL vs PostGraphile vs graphql.js

Overview

GraphQL

Stacks34.9K

Followers28.1K

Votes309

PostGraphile

Stacks85

Followers214

Votes47

graphql.js

Stacks93

Followers85

Votes0

GitHub Stars2.3K

Forks88

GraphQL vs PostGraphile vs graphql.js: What are the differences?

Introduction:

GraphQL is a query language for APIs that allows clients to request only the data they need, making it more efficient and flexible compared to traditional REST APIs. PostGraphile is a tool that automatically generates a GraphQL API for a PostgreSQL database, simplifying the process of creating a GraphQL API. graphql.js is a JavaScript library that provides tools for building GraphQL APIs and executing queries.

Data Source: One key difference between GraphQL and PostGraphile is that GraphQL is a query language that can be used with any data source, while PostGraphile specifically generates a GraphQL API for PostgreSQL databases. On the other hand, graphql.js is a library that can be used with various data sources to create GraphQL APIs.
Automated Generation: PostGraphile automates the process of generating a GraphQL API for a PostgreSQL database, reducing the manual work required to set up a GraphQL API. In contrast, graphql.js requires developers to manually define the schema and resolvers for their GraphQL API.
Performance Optimization: PostGraphile is optimized for performance with PostgreSQL databases by leveraging features such as smart batching and caching to minimize the number of database queries required. graphql.js does not have built-in optimizations specific to PostgreSQL databases.
GraphQL Server Configuration: PostGraphile simplifies the configuration of a GraphQL server by automatically generating the schema based on the database schema, making it easier for developers to get started with GraphQL. In comparison, graphql.js requires developers to define the schema and resolvers themselves, which can be more time-consuming.
Flexibility and Customization: While PostGraphile provides a quick and easy way to create a GraphQL API for PostgreSQL databases, it may have limitations in terms of customization compared to building a GraphQL API from scratch using graphql.js. Developers using graphql.js have more control over the design and functionality of their GraphQL API.
Community Support: GraphQL, being a query language specification, has a larger community and ecosystem supporting it, including tools, libraries, and resources. PostGraphile and graphql.js, while useful for specific use cases, may have a smaller community and fewer resources available for support and troubleshooting.

Summary: In summary, GraphQL offers a flexible approach to querying APIs, while PostGraphile simplifies the process of generating a GraphQL API for PostgreSQL databases, and graphql.js provides a library for building custom GraphQL APIs with more control and flexibility.

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CLI (Node.js)

Manual

Detailed Comparison

GraphQL	PostGraphile	graphql.js
GraphQL is a data query language and runtime designed and used at Facebook to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps since 2012.	Execute one command (or mount one Node.js middleware) and get an instant high-performance GraphQL API for your PostgreSQL database	Lightest GraphQL client with intelligent features. You can download graphql.js directly, or you can use Bower or NPM.
Hierarchical;Product-centric;Client-specified queries;Backwards Compatible;Structured, Arbitrary Code;Application-Layer Protocol;Strongly-typed;Introspective	instant GraphQL schema via reflection over PostgreSQL database API; compiles complex GraphQL queries into very few SQL statements resulting in high performance; built entirely from plugins - heavily customisable; support for PostgreSQL RBAC and RLS; watch mode (monitors for database schema changes) for great DX; standalone server, express middleware, or GraphQL schema; integration with Express auth via pgSettings (e.g. Passport.js, optional); JWT auth (optional); very strong support for PostgreSQL functions; simple to set up and scale	No dependencies, plain vanilla JavaScript.;Plug & Play.;Isomorphic.;Runs on most browsers.;You don't need to install Node.js ecosystem on your computer.
Statistics
GitHub Stars -	GitHub Stars -	GitHub Stars 2.3K
GitHub Forks -	GitHub Forks -	GitHub Forks 88
Stacks 34.9K	Stacks 85	Stacks 93
Followers 28.1K	Followers 214	Followers 85
Votes 309	Votes 47	Votes 0
Pros & Cons
Pros 75 Schemas defined by the requests made by the user 63 Will replace RESTful interfaces 62 The future of API's 49 The future of databases 12 Self-documenting Cons 4 More code to type. 4 Hard to migrate from GraphQL to another technology 2 Takes longer to build compared to schemaless. 1 Works just like any other API at runtime 1 All the pros sound like NFT pitches	Pros 10 Postgres based authentication 6 Great developer support 5 Lightning fast 5 Database first with no braking changes 4 Simple to set up and scale	No community feedback yet
Integrations
No integrations available	Apollo ExpressJS Node.js PostgreSQL Koa Fastify Relay Framework	No integrations available

What are some alternatives to GraphQL, PostGraphile, graphql.js?

Prisma

Prisma is an open-source database toolkit. It replaces traditional ORMs and makes database access easy with an auto-generated query builder for TypeScript & Node.js.

OData

It is an ISO/IEC approved, OASIS standard that defines a set of best practices for building and consuming RESTful APIs. It helps you focus on your business logic while building RESTful APIs without having to worry about the various approaches to define request and response headers, status codes, HTTP methods, URL conventions, media types, payload formats, query options, etc.

Oracle PL/SQL

It is a powerful, yet straightforward database programming language. It is easy to both write and read, and comes packed with lots of out-of-the-box optimizations and security features.

SQL

SQL is designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).

Graphene

Graphene is a Python library for building GraphQL schemas/types fast and easily.

JSON API

It is most widely used data format for data interchange on the web. This data interchange can happen between two computers applications at different geographical locations or running within same hardware machine.

JsonAPI

t is a format that works with HTTP. A main goal of the specification is to optimize HTTP requests both in terms of the number of requests and the size of data packages exchanged between clients and servers.

GraphQL Ruby

Get going fast with the graphql gem, battle-tested and trusted by GitHub and Shopify.

Trino

It is a fast distributed SQL query engine for big data analytics that helps you explore your data universe. It is designed to query large data sets distributed over one or more heterogeneous data sources.

JSONata

It is a declarative open-source query and transformation language for JSON data.

Related Comparisons

GraphQL vs PostGraphile vs graphql.js: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Data Source: One key difference between GraphQL and PostGraphile is that GraphQL is a query language that can be used with any data source, while PostGraphile specifically generates a GraphQL API for PostgreSQL databases. On the other hand, graphql.js is a library that can be used with various data sources to create GraphQL APIs.
Automated Generation: PostGraphile automates the process of generating a GraphQL API for a PostgreSQL database, reducing the manual work required to set up a GraphQL API. In contrast, graphql.js requires developers to manually define the schema and resolvers for their GraphQL API.
Performance Optimization: PostGraphile is optimized for performance with PostgreSQL databases by leveraging features such as smart batching and caching to minimize the number of database queries required. graphql.js does not have built-in optimizations specific to PostgreSQL databases.
GraphQL Server Configuration: PostGraphile simplifies the configuration of a GraphQL server by automatically generating the schema based on the database schema, making it easier for developers to get started with GraphQL. In comparison, graphql.js requires developers to define the schema and resolvers themselves, which can be more time-consuming.
Flexibility and Customization: While PostGraphile provides a quick and easy way to create a GraphQL API for PostgreSQL databases, it may have limitations in terms of customization compared to building a GraphQL API from scratch using graphql.js. Developers using graphql.js have more control over the design and functionality of their GraphQL API.
Community Support: GraphQL, being a query language specification, has a larger community and ecosystem supporting it, including tools, libraries, and resources. PostGraphile and graphql.js, while useful for specific use cases, may have a smaller community and fewer resources available for support and troubleshooting.

GraphQL vs PostGraphile vs graphql.js

Overview