GraphQL Client Libraries for JavaScript Comparison
@apollo/client vs urql vs vue-apollo vs react-apollo vs @vue/apollo-composable vs graphql-hooks
1 Year
@apollo/clienturqlvue-apolloreact-apollo@vue/apollo-composablegraphql-hooksSimilar Packages:
What's GraphQL Client Libraries for JavaScript?

GraphQL client libraries facilitate the interaction between client applications and GraphQL APIs, providing tools to manage queries, mutations, and subscriptions. These libraries help streamline data fetching, caching, and state management, allowing developers to build efficient and responsive applications. They abstract the complexities of GraphQL communication, enabling developers to focus on building features rather than handling the underlying data layer intricacies.

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Package
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@apollo/client3,492,21819,4187.26 MB5356 days agoMIT
urql244,4698,689327 kB28a month agoMIT
vue-apollo146,9966,033176 kB268a year agoMIT
react-apollo98,4656,845-2055 years agoMIT
@vue/apollo-composable93,7436,033216 kB2684 months agoMIT
graphql-hooks23,7461,882282 kB02 hours agoApache-2.0
Feature Comparison: @apollo/client vs urql vs vue-apollo vs react-apollo vs @vue/apollo-composable vs graphql-hooks

Caching Mechanism

  • @apollo/client:

    @apollo/client offers an advanced caching mechanism that allows for normalized data storage, enabling efficient updates and retrievals. It supports optimistic UI updates, where the UI can immediately reflect changes before the server responds, enhancing user experience.

  • urql:

    urql features a customizable caching strategy that can be tailored to specific application needs. It allows developers to choose between different caching approaches, making it flexible for various use cases, although it may require more setup than other libraries.

  • vue-apollo:

    vue-apollo leverages Apollo Client's caching capabilities, providing a straightforward way to manage cached data in Vue applications. It ensures that components reactively update when the cached data changes, although it may not offer the same depth of features as @apollo/client.

  • react-apollo:

    react-apollo utilizes Apollo Client's caching capabilities, allowing for efficient data retrieval and updates. However, it is less flexible compared to @apollo/client, as it is tied to older React paradigms and lifecycle methods.

  • @vue/apollo-composable:

    @vue/apollo-composable provides a simple caching layer that integrates with Apollo Client's caching capabilities. It allows for reactive data management, ensuring that components automatically update when the underlying data changes, although it may not be as feature-rich as @apollo/client's caching.

  • graphql-hooks:

    graphql-hooks has a basic caching mechanism that stores responses in memory. It is lightweight and does not provide advanced features like normalized caching, making it suitable for simpler applications where caching complexity is not required.

Integration with Frameworks

  • @apollo/client:

    @apollo/client is designed primarily for React but can also be used with other frameworks. It provides hooks for functional components and higher-order components for class components, making it versatile for various React applications.

  • urql:

    urql is also framework-agnostic and can be used with React, Vue, and other frameworks. It offers a modular approach, allowing developers to integrate it into various environments easily, making it a versatile choice for multi-framework projects.

  • vue-apollo:

    vue-apollo is designed specifically for Vue.js applications, providing a seamless integration with Vue's component model and reactivity. It simplifies the process of using Apollo Client within Vue applications.

  • react-apollo:

    react-apollo is tightly integrated with React, providing components and hooks that align with React's lifecycle. However, it is less flexible for use with other frameworks due to its reliance on React-specific patterns.

  • @vue/apollo-composable:

    @vue/apollo-composable is specifically built for Vue 3 and utilizes the Composition API, allowing for a more modern and flexible integration with Vue applications. It is tailored to leverage Vue's reactivity system effectively.

  • graphql-hooks:

    graphql-hooks is framework-agnostic and can be used with any JavaScript framework. It provides a simple API that can be easily integrated into React applications without being tied to specific framework features.

Learning Curve

  • @apollo/client:

    @apollo/client has a moderate learning curve due to its extensive features and capabilities. Developers may need time to fully understand its caching strategies and advanced functionalities, but it is well-documented and supported by a large community.

  • urql:

    urql has a moderate learning curve, as it requires understanding its modular architecture and customizable features. However, its documentation is clear, and developers can gradually adopt features as needed, making it approachable for new users.

  • vue-apollo:

    vue-apollo is straightforward for Vue developers, especially those familiar with Vue 2. Its API is designed to be easy to use, allowing developers to quickly implement GraphQL queries and mutations in their Vue applications.

  • react-apollo:

    react-apollo has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers who are already familiar with React. However, as it is being deprecated, new projects are encouraged to adopt @apollo/client instead.

  • @vue/apollo-composable:

    @vue/apollo-composable is relatively easy to learn for those familiar with Vue 3 and the Composition API. Its API is intuitive, making it accessible for developers who want to integrate GraphQL into their Vue applications quickly.

  • graphql-hooks:

    graphql-hooks has a low learning curve, making it easy for developers to get started with GraphQL data fetching. Its minimalistic API allows for quick implementation without the need for extensive setup or configuration.

Community and Support

  • @apollo/client:

    @apollo/client has a large and active community, providing extensive documentation, tutorials, and support resources. It is widely adopted in the industry, ensuring that developers can find help and examples easily.

  • urql:

    urql has a growing community and is gaining popularity for its flexibility and simplicity. It has good documentation and an active GitHub repository, providing developers with resources and support as they adopt the library.

  • vue-apollo:

    vue-apollo has a dedicated community among Vue developers, with resources and documentation available. However, it may not be as extensive as the community surrounding @apollo/client.

  • react-apollo:

    react-apollo has a solid community due to its long-standing presence in the React ecosystem. However, as it is being phased out, community support may dwindle over time in favor of @apollo/client.

  • @vue/apollo-composable:

    @vue/apollo-composable benefits from the growing Vue community, with good documentation and resources available. However, it may not have as large a user base as @apollo/client, which can impact the availability of community support.

  • graphql-hooks:

    graphql-hooks has a smaller community compared to other libraries, which may result in fewer resources and examples. However, it is straightforward enough that many developers can easily understand and implement it without extensive community support.

How to Choose: @apollo/client vs urql vs vue-apollo vs react-apollo vs @vue/apollo-composable vs graphql-hooks
  • @apollo/client:

    Choose @apollo/client if you need a comprehensive solution with powerful caching capabilities and support for both queries and mutations. It is ideal for projects that require advanced features like optimistic UI updates and subscriptions, and it integrates well with React and other frameworks.

  • urql:

    Choose urql for its flexibility and simplicity, especially if you want a customizable GraphQL client that can be tailored to your specific needs. It is designed to be modular, allowing you to pick and choose features, making it a great option for projects that require fine-tuned performance and behavior.

  • vue-apollo:

    Select vue-apollo if you are using Vue 2 and need a straightforward way to integrate Apollo Client into your application. It provides a simple API for managing GraphQL queries and mutations, making it easy to work with GraphQL in Vue applications.

  • react-apollo:

    Use react-apollo if you are working with older versions of React and need a stable and well-established solution for managing GraphQL data. While it is being phased out in favor of @apollo/client, it still provides a solid foundation for applications that rely on React's component lifecycle methods.

  • @vue/apollo-composable:

    Select @vue/apollo-composable if you are using Vue 3 and want to leverage the Composition API for a more flexible and modular approach to managing GraphQL queries and mutations. It provides a simple and intuitive way to integrate Apollo Client into Vue applications, enhancing reactivity and code organization.

  • graphql-hooks:

    Opt for graphql-hooks if you prefer a lightweight and minimalistic approach to GraphQL data fetching. It is suitable for projects that require a straightforward API without the overhead of complex state management or caching mechanisms, making it easy to integrate into any React application.

README for @apollo/client

Apollo Client

Apollo Client

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Apollo Client is a fully-featured caching GraphQL client with integrations for React, Angular, and more. It allows you to easily build UI components that fetch data via GraphQL.

Apollo Client aims to comply with the Working Draft of the GraphQL specification.

| ☑️ Apollo Client User Survey | | :----- | | What do you like best about Apollo Client? What needs to be improved? Please tell us by taking a one-minute survey. Your responses will help us understand Apollo Client usage and allow us to serve you better. |

Documentation

All Apollo Client documentation, including React integration articles and helpful recipes, can be found at:
https://www.apollographql.com/docs/react/

The Apollo Client API reference can be found at:
https://www.apollographql.com/docs/react/api/apollo-client/

Learn how to use Apollo Client with self-paced hands-on training on Odyssey, Apollo's official learning platform:
https://odyssey.apollographql.com/

Maintainers

|Name|Username| |---|---| |Ben Newman|@benjamn| |Alessia Bellisario|@alessbell| |Jeff Auriemma|@bignimbus| |Hugh Willson|@hwillson| |Jerel Miller|@jerelmiller| |Lenz Weber-Tronic|@phryneas|

Who is Apollo?

Apollo builds open-source tools and commercial services to make application development easier, better, and accessible to more people. We help you ship faster with:

  • GraphOS - The platform for building, managing, and scaling a supergraph: a unified network of your organization's microservices and their data sources—all composed into a single distributed API.
  • Apollo Federation – The industry-standard open architecture for building a distributed graph. Use Apollo’s gateway to compose a unified graph from multiple subgraphs, determine a query plan, and route requests across your services.
  • Apollo Client – The most popular GraphQL client for the web. Apollo also builds and maintains Apollo iOS and Apollo Kotlin.
  • Apollo Server – A production-ready JavaScript GraphQL server that connects to any microservice, API, or database. Compatible with all popular JavaScript frameworks and deployable in serverless environments.

Learn how to build with Apollo

Check out the Odyssey learning platform, the perfect place to start your GraphQL journey with videos and interactive code challenges. Join the Apollo Community to interact with and get technical help from the GraphQL community.