GraphQL Client Libraries Comparison
apollo-client vs urql vs react-apollo vs graphql-hooks
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What's GraphQL Client Libraries?

GraphQL client libraries facilitate the interaction between a client application and a GraphQL server by providing tools for querying, mutating, and managing local state. They abstract the complexities of making network requests and handling responses, allowing developers to focus on building their applications. These libraries often come with features like caching, optimistic UI updates, and integration with state management solutions, enhancing the overall developer experience and application performance.

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apollo-client421,72519,409-5345 years agoMIT
urql246,2258,687327 kB27a month agoMIT
react-apollo98,0876,845-2055 years agoMIT
graphql-hooks23,9181,882283 kB66 months agoApache-2.0
Feature Comparison: apollo-client vs urql vs react-apollo vs graphql-hooks

Caching

  • apollo-client:

    Apollo Client offers an advanced caching mechanism that allows for efficient data retrieval and state management. It supports normalized caching, where data is stored in a normalized format, enabling automatic updates and re-fetching of data when necessary. This results in improved performance and reduced network requests.

  • urql:

    Urql features a customizable caching layer that can be tailored to specific use cases. It supports both in-memory and persistent caching, allowing developers to choose the best strategy for their application. This flexibility makes it suitable for various application sizes and complexity.

  • react-apollo:

    React Apollo utilizes Apollo Client's caching capabilities, providing a seamless experience for managing data. It automatically updates the UI when data changes, thanks to its integration with Apollo's normalized cache, making it a robust choice for applications that require efficient data handling.

  • graphql-hooks:

    GraphQL Hooks does not provide built-in caching but allows developers to implement their own caching strategies. This gives developers flexibility but requires additional work to manage cache effectively, making it less suitable for applications that heavily rely on caching.

Integration with React

  • apollo-client:

    Apollo Client integrates deeply with React through the React Apollo library, providing hooks and higher-order components that simplify data fetching and state management in React applications. This integration allows for a more declarative approach to managing data in components.

  • urql:

    Urql offers a React-specific API with hooks that allow developers to fetch data easily within functional components. Its modular design means developers can choose which features to include, making it a flexible option for React applications.

  • react-apollo:

    React Apollo is the official integration of Apollo Client with React, providing a set of hooks and components that streamline data management in React applications. It allows developers to leverage Apollo's powerful features while maintaining a React-friendly syntax.

  • graphql-hooks:

    GraphQL Hooks is designed specifically for React, offering a simple hook-based API for making GraphQL requests. This makes it easy to integrate into existing React applications without additional boilerplate or complexity, promoting a clean and straightforward codebase.

Learning Curve

  • apollo-client:

    Apollo Client has a moderate learning curve due to its extensive features and configuration options. While it provides powerful capabilities, new users may need time to understand its caching strategies and how to best utilize its features in their applications.

  • urql:

    Urql has a relatively low learning curve due to its simple and modular design. Developers can start using it quickly, and its flexibility allows for gradual learning as they explore more advanced features.

  • react-apollo:

    React Apollo has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers who are already familiar with Apollo Client. The integration with React is intuitive, but understanding the full capabilities of Apollo, including caching and state management, may take some time.

  • graphql-hooks:

    GraphQL Hooks has a low learning curve, making it easy for developers to get started with GraphQL in React. Its straightforward API and minimal setup requirements allow for quick adoption, especially for those familiar with React hooks.

Flexibility and Customization

  • apollo-client:

    Apollo Client is highly flexible, allowing developers to customize caching strategies, link configurations, and more. However, this flexibility comes with added complexity, which may require a deeper understanding of the library's internals.

  • urql:

    Urql is built with flexibility in mind, allowing developers to customize its behavior and integrate it with various state management solutions. Its modular architecture enables users to include only the features they need, making it highly adaptable.

  • react-apollo:

    React Apollo inherits Apollo Client's flexibility, allowing for extensive customization and integration with other libraries. This makes it suitable for complex applications but may overwhelm developers who prefer simplicity.

  • graphql-hooks:

    GraphQL Hooks is designed to be minimalistic and straightforward, which limits customization options. Developers looking for a simple solution without extensive configuration will find it appealing, but those needing advanced features may find it lacking.

How to Choose: apollo-client vs urql vs react-apollo vs graphql-hooks
  • apollo-client:

    Choose Apollo Client if you need a comprehensive solution that includes advanced features like caching, local state management, and integration with React's context API. It's ideal for large applications that require sophisticated data handling and a robust ecosystem.

  • urql:

    Choose Urql if you want a highly customizable and flexible GraphQL client that can be tailored to your specific needs. It is designed to be lightweight and modular, making it suitable for applications that require fine-tuned performance and the ability to extend functionality easily.

  • react-apollo:

    Select React Apollo if you are already invested in the Apollo ecosystem and want to leverage its powerful features while using React. It provides a seamless way to integrate Apollo Client with React components, making it easier to manage data fetching and state in your application.

  • graphql-hooks:

    Opt for GraphQL Hooks if you prefer a lightweight and minimalistic approach to data fetching in React. It offers a simple API for making GraphQL queries and mutations, making it suitable for small to medium-sized applications that prioritize simplicity and ease of use.

Similar Npm Packages to apollo-client

apollo-client is a powerful and flexible GraphQL client for managing data in JavaScript applications, particularly those built with React. It allows developers to easily fetch, cache, and manage GraphQL data, providing a seamless experience for integrating GraphQL APIs into applications. While Apollo Client is widely used and feature-rich, there are several alternatives that cater to different needs and preferences. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • graphql-request is a minimalistic GraphQL client that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It provides a straightforward API for making GraphQL queries and mutations without the overhead of a larger library like Apollo Client. If you are looking for a lightweight solution for making GraphQL requests without the need for advanced features like caching or state management, graphql-request is an excellent choice.

  • react-apollo is a legacy library that integrates Apollo Client with React. It provides React components and hooks for managing GraphQL data in a React application. While it was widely used in the past, it has since been succeeded by Apollo Client's new hooks API, which offers a more modern and streamlined approach to working with GraphQL in React. If you are maintaining an older codebase, you might encounter react-apollo, but for new projects, it's recommended to use the latest Apollo Client features directly.

  • urql is a highly customizable and flexible GraphQL client that focuses on simplicity and performance. It offers a modular architecture, allowing developers to choose only the features they need. urql is particularly well-suited for applications that require a lightweight client with a focus on performance and flexibility. If you prefer a client that can be tailored to your specific needs without unnecessary complexity, urql is a great option.

To see how Apollo Client compares with graphql-request, react-apollo, and urql, check out the comparison: Comparing apollo-client vs graphql-request vs react-apollo vs urql.

Similar Npm Packages to urql

urql is a highly customizable and efficient GraphQL client for React applications. It is designed to provide a simple yet powerful way to interact with GraphQL APIs, making it easier for developers to fetch and manage data in their applications. With its focus on performance and extensibility, urql is an excellent choice for developers looking to integrate GraphQL into their React projects. While urql offers a robust solution, there are other libraries in the GraphQL ecosystem that serve similar purposes. Here are a few alternatives:

  • apollo-client is one of the most popular GraphQL clients available. It provides a comprehensive set of features, including caching, state management, and support for subscriptions. Apollo Client is designed to work seamlessly with the Apollo ecosystem, making it a great choice for developers who want a full-featured solution for managing GraphQL data. If your application requires advanced features like optimistic UI updates, pagination, or real-time data with subscriptions, Apollo Client is a powerful option to consider.
  • graphql-request is a minimalistic GraphQL client that is focused on simplicity and ease of use. It allows developers to send GraphQL queries and mutations with a straightforward API, making it ideal for projects that require a lightweight solution without the overhead of a more complex client. If you are looking for a simple way to make GraphQL requests without the need for advanced features like caching or state management, graphql-request is a great choice.

To see how urql compares with apollo-client and graphql-request, check out the comparison: Comparing apollo-client vs graphql-request vs urql.

Similar Npm Packages to react-apollo

react-apollo is a library that integrates Apollo Client with React, enabling developers to easily manage and interact with GraphQL data in their React applications. It provides a set of React components and hooks that facilitate querying and mutating data, handling loading states, and managing local state with GraphQL. By using react-apollo, developers can seamlessly connect their React components to a GraphQL API, making data fetching and state management more efficient and straightforward.

While react-apollo is a powerful tool for working with GraphQL in React, there are other libraries that serve similar purposes. Here are a couple of alternatives:

  • apollo-client is the core library of the Apollo ecosystem, providing the essential functionality for managing GraphQL data. It can be used independently of React and is designed to work with any JavaScript application. apollo-client offers powerful features like caching, optimistic UI updates, and support for subscriptions. If you are building a non-React application or want to use Apollo's capabilities without the React-specific components, apollo-client is the way to go.

  • graphql-tag is a utility library that allows developers to define GraphQL queries and fragments using template literals. It is often used in conjunction with Apollo Client to parse GraphQL queries into a format that can be understood by the client. While graphql-tag does not provide data-fetching capabilities on its own, it is an essential part of the Apollo ecosystem, enabling a more readable and maintainable way to define GraphQL operations.

To see how react-apollo compares with apollo-client and graphql-tag, check out the comparison: Comparing apollo-client vs graphql-tag vs react-apollo.

Similar Npm Packages to graphql-hooks

graphql-hooks is a lightweight library for managing GraphQL data in React applications. It provides a simple and efficient way to fetch, cache, and manage GraphQL queries and mutations using React hooks. This library is particularly useful for developers who want to integrate GraphQL into their React applications without the overhead of larger libraries. While graphql-hooks offers a straightforward solution for working with GraphQL, there are several alternatives that also provide robust GraphQL capabilities. Here are a few notable options:

  • apollo-client is one of the most popular GraphQL clients available. It provides a comprehensive set of features for managing GraphQL data, including caching, optimistic UI updates, and support for subscriptions. Apollo Client is highly flexible and can be used with various front-end frameworks, making it a great choice for complex applications that require advanced data management capabilities. If you are building a large-scale application that needs extensive GraphQL support, Apollo Client is an excellent option.
  • react-apollo is a library that integrates Apollo Client with React, providing a set of higher-order components and hooks for managing GraphQL queries and mutations. While it was widely used in the past, it's worth noting that the Apollo team has since shifted focus to the Apollo Client's hooks API, making react-apollo less relevant for new projects. However, it still serves as a useful option for developers who prefer a component-based approach to managing GraphQL data in their applications.
  • urql is a highly customizable and flexible GraphQL client that emphasizes simplicity and performance. It offers a minimalistic API and supports features like caching, real-time updates, and server-side rendering. Urql is particularly well-suited for developers who want a lightweight alternative to Apollo Client while still retaining the ability to extend functionality through its plugin system. If you are looking for a GraphQL client that balances simplicity with powerful features, urql is a great choice.

To see how graphql-hooks compares with apollo-client, react-apollo, and urql, check out the comparison: Comparing apollo-client vs graphql-hooks vs react-apollo vs urql.

README for apollo-client

Apollo Client npm version Open Source Helpers Join the community on Spectrum

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. To get the most value out of apollo-client, you should use it with one of its view layer integrations.

To get started with the React integration, go to our React Apollo documentation website.

Apollo Client also has view layer integrations for all the popular frontend frameworks. For the best experience, make sure to use the view integration layer for your frontend framework of choice.

Apollo Client can be used in any JavaScript frontend where you want to use data from a GraphQL server. It's:

  1. Incrementally adoptable, so that you can drop it into an existing JavaScript app and start using GraphQL for just part of your UI.
  2. Universally compatible, so that Apollo works with any build setup, any GraphQL server, and any GraphQL schema.
  3. Simple to get started with, so you can start loading data right away and learn about advanced features later.
  4. Inspectable and understandable, so that you can have great developer tools to understand exactly what is happening in your app.
  5. Built for interactive apps, so your users can make changes and see them reflected in the UI immediately.
  6. Small and flexible, so you don't get stuff you don't need. The core is under 25kb compressed.
  7. Community driven, because Apollo is driven by the community and serves a variety of use cases. Everything is planned and developed in the open.

Get started on the home page, which has great examples for a variety of frameworks.

Installation

# installing the preset package
npm install apollo-boost graphql-tag graphql --save
# installing each piece independently
npm install apollo-client apollo-cache-inmemory apollo-link-http graphql-tag graphql --save

To use this client in a web browser or mobile app, you'll need a build system capable of loading NPM packages on the client. Some common choices include Browserify, Webpack, and Meteor 1.3+.

Install the Apollo Client Developer tools for Chrome for a great GraphQL developer experience!

Usage

You get started by constructing an instance of the core class ApolloClient. If you load ApolloClient from the apollo-boost package, it will be configured with a few reasonable defaults such as our standard in-memory cache and a link to a GraphQL API at /graphql.

import ApolloClient from 'apollo-boost';

const client = new ApolloClient();

To point ApolloClient at a different URL, add your GraphQL API's URL to the uri config property:

import ApolloClient from 'apollo-boost';

const client = new ApolloClient({
  uri: 'https://graphql.example.com'
});

Most of the time you'll hook up your client to a frontend integration. But if you'd like to directly execute a query with your client, you may now call the client.query method like this:

import gql from 'graphql-tag';

client.query({
  query: gql`
    query TodoApp {
      todos {
        id
        text
        completed
      }
    }
  `,
})
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(error => console.error(error));

Now your client will be primed with some data in its cache. You can continue to make queries, or you can get your client instance to perform all sorts of advanced tasks on your GraphQL data. Such as reactively watching queries with watchQuery, changing data on your server with mutate, or reading a fragment from your local cache with readFragment.

To learn more about all of the features available to you through the apollo-client package, be sure to read through the apollo-client API reference.

Learn how to use Apollo Client with your favorite framework

Contributing

CircleCI codecov

Read the Apollo Contributor Guidelines.

Running tests locally:

npm install
npm test

This project uses TypeScript for static typing and TSLint for linting. You can get both of these built into your editor with no configuration by opening this project in Visual Studio Code, an open source IDE which is available for free on all platforms.

Important discussions

If you're getting booted up as a contributor, here are some discussions you should take a look at:

  1. Static typing and why we went with TypeScript also covered in the Medium post
  2. Idea for pagination handling
  3. Discussion about interaction with Redux and domain vs. client state
  4. Long conversation about different client options, before this repo existed

Maintainers

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