We default to REST for most APIs. It is simpler to build, easier to cache, and understood by every developer. GraphQL solves real problems, but those problems only apply to specific types of applications. Here is how to decide.
| Feature | Veld Systems | GraphQL |
|---|---|---|
| Data Fetching | Fixed response shapes per endpoint. Clients get what the endpoint returns. Simple and predictable but may require multiple requests for complex views | Clients request exactly the fields they need in a single query. No over fetching or under fetching. Powerful for complex UIs that need data from multiple sources |
| Caching | HTTP caching works out of the box. CDNs, browsers, and reverse proxies understand REST endpoints. Cache invalidation is straightforward with ETags and Cache-Control headers | HTTP caching does not work (all requests are POST to one endpoint). Requires client side caching libraries (Apollo, Relay) which add complexity and bundle size |
| Tooling | Mature tooling: OpenAPI/Swagger for documentation, Postman for testing, and every HTTP library in every language. Universal compatibility | Specialized tooling: GraphiQL for exploration, Apollo DevTools for debugging. Powerful but requires learning new tools. Code generation for type safe clients |
| Learning Curve | Low. Any developer who understands HTTP can build and consume REST APIs. The conventions are simple and well documented | Moderate to steep. Schema definition language, resolvers, query complexity, N+1 problems, and client side caching all require learning. More concepts to master |
| Over/Under Fetching | Endpoints return fixed shapes. Some over fetching (extra fields you do not need) and under fetching (multiple requests for related data) is common | Solved by design. Clients request exactly what they need. Single request for complex, nested data structures. The primary selling point of GraphQL |
| Versioning | URL versioning (/v1/users, /v2/users) or header based. Breaking changes require a new version. Simple and explicit | No versioning needed in theory, add fields without breaking clients. In practice, deprecation and schema evolution still require careful management |
| Error Handling | HTTP status codes (400, 401, 404, 500) are universally understood. Errors are unambiguous, a 404 means not found everywhere | Always returns 200 with errors in the response body. Partial success is possible (some fields resolve, others error). Error handling requires custom logic |
| File Uploads | Standard multipart/form-data uploads. Every HTTP client supports it natively. Simple and well documented | Not natively supported. Requires multipart request spec extension or a separate REST endpoint for uploads. Adds complexity to an otherwise GraphQL only API |
| Real Time | WebSockets or Server Sent Events, separate from the REST API. Well understood patterns with mature libraries | GraphQL Subscriptions provide a unified real time model within the schema. Elegant but adds server side complexity and requires WebSocket infrastructure |
| Performance | Predictable per endpoint performance. Easy to optimize, cache, and rate limit individual endpoints. No query complexity concerns | Variable query complexity can cause performance issues. Deeply nested queries can overwhelm the server. Requires query complexity analysis and depth limiting |
Why Veld Systems
- +HTTP caching works out of the box, CDNs, browsers, and proxies understand REST without configuration
- +Every developer knows REST, no learning curve, no specialized tooling, universal compatibility
- +Predictable performance per endpoint makes optimization and rate limiting straightforward
- +Simple error handling with HTTP status codes, no ambiguity about what went wrong
- +File uploads, webhooks, and third party integrations all work naturally with REST conventions
Why GraphQL
- +Clients request exactly the data they need, eliminates over fetching and under fetching
- +Single endpoint with typed schema provides excellent developer tooling and type generation
- +Ideal for complex UIs that aggregate data from multiple sources in a single request
- +Schema serves as living documentation and contract between frontend and backend teams
The Verdict
Our Honest Take
REST is the right choice for most APIs. It is simpler, cacheable, and universally understood. Choose GraphQL when your frontend needs to aggregate data from many sources in complex, varying shapes, typically large consumer apps with many different views of the same data (think Facebook, GitHub, or Shopify storefronts). For most SaaS products, APIs, and mobile backends, REST delivers more value with less complexity.
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