GraphQL vs REST API

One Schema, Two APIs. See how Apito automatically generates both GraphQL and REST APIs from your database schema.

Compare approaches • See examples • Understand the benefits

GraphQL

Query Language & Runtime

  • ✓Single endpoint for all operations
  • ✓Request exactly what you need
  • ✓Strong typing and introspection
  • ✓Real-time subscriptions

REST API

Representational State Transfer

  • ✓Multiple endpoints per resource
  • ✓HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
  • ✓Stateless and cacheable
  • ✓Simple and widely adopted

One Schema, Two APIs

Define your database schema once, get both GraphQL and REST APIs automatically

Database Schema

type Product {
id: ID!
name: String!
price: Float!
description: String
orders: [Order!]!
}
type Order {
id: ID!
productId: ID!
quantity: Int!
total: Float!
}

GraphQL API

Query Products

query GetProducts {
products {
id
name
price
orders {
quantity
total
}
}
}

Create Product

mutation CreateProduct {
createProduct(data: {
name: "Laptop"
price: 999.99
description: "Gaming laptop"
}) {
id
name
}
}

REST API

GET Products

GET /api/products
Response:
{
"data": [
{
"id": "1",
"name": "Laptop",
"price": 999.99
}
]
}

POST Product

POST /api/products
Body:
{
"name": "Laptop",
"price": 999.99,
"description": "Gaming laptop"
}

Feature Comparison

FeatureGraphQLREST API
EndpointSingle endpointMultiple endpoints
Data FetchingRequest specific fieldsFixed response structure
Over-fetching✓ Avoided✗ Common
Under-fetching✓ Avoided✗ Common
Real-time✓ SubscriptionsWebSockets needed
CachingComplex✓ HTTP caching
Learning CurveSteeper✓ Simple

Why Choose Apito for Both APIs?

Get the best of both worlds without the complexity

One Schema

Define your database schema once and get both GraphQL and REST APIs automatically generated.

Auto-Generated

No need to write API code manually. Apito generates both APIs with proper relationships and filtering.

Real-time Ready

Built-in support for GraphQL subscriptions and WebSocket connections for real-time updates.

Ready to Build Both APIs?

Start with Apito and get GraphQL and REST APIs from a single schema in minutes.

Get Started FreeExplore APIs