graphql-tools vs graphql-compose vs type-graphql vs apollo-server

Package	Downloads	Stars	Size	Issues	Publish	License

graphql-tools	791,619	5,418	2.61 kB	158	8 days ago	MIT
graphql-compose	481,423	1,213	909 kB	85	a year ago	MIT
type-graphql	308,586	8,088	335 kB	111	a year ago	MIT
apollo-server	240,076	13,929	26.6 kB	77	2 years ago	MIT

Package

Downloads

Stars

Size

Issues

Publish

License

graphql-tools

791,619

5,418

2.61 kB

158

8 days ago

MIT

graphql-compose

481,423

1,213

909 kB

a year ago

MIT

type-graphql

308,586

8,088

335 kB

111

a year ago

MIT

apollo-server

240,076

13,929

26.6 kB

2 years ago

MIT

Schema Definition

graphql-tools:
graphql-tools focuses on schema stitching and federation, allowing you to combine schemas from multiple sources into a single unified schema. It provides utilities for creating schemas programmatically and merging them.
graphql-compose:
graphql-compose provides tools for defining schemas in a more modular way, allowing you to create reusable schema components and compose them together. This is especially useful for large schemas or when working with multiple data sources.
type-graphql:
type-graphql uses TypeScript classes and decorators to define the schema, providing a more type-safe and intuitive way to create your schema. This approach leverages TypeScript's type system to ensure consistency between your schema and resolvers.
apollo-server:
apollo-server allows you to define your schema using the Schema Definition Language (SDL) or programmatically. It provides a simple way to create a schema and resolvers, making it easy to set up a GraphQL server quickly.

Integration with Data Sources

graphql-tools:
graphql-tools supports schema stitching, which allows you to combine schemas from different data sources into a single schema. This is useful for creating a unified API from multiple services or microservices.
graphql-compose:
graphql-compose is designed to work with multiple data sources, allowing you to create schema components that can be reused across different parts of your application. It is particularly useful for integrating with databases, REST APIs, and other GraphQL schemas.
type-graphql:
type-graphql integrates well with TypeScript-based data sources, such as ORMs (e.g., TypeORM, Prisma). It allows you to define your data models and resolvers in a type-safe manner, making it easier to work with databases and other data sources.
apollo-server:
apollo-server integrates seamlessly with various data sources, including REST APIs, databases, and third-party services. It provides a flexible resolver system that allows you to fetch data from multiple sources and combine them in your GraphQL API.

Code Example

graphql-tools:

graphql-tools example

const { makeExecutableSchema } = require('@graphql-tools/schema');

// Define type definitions
const typeDefs = `
  type Query {
    hello: String
  }
`;

// Define resolvers
const resolvers = {
  Query: {
    hello: () => 'Hello, world!',
  },
};

// Create executable schema
const schema = makeExecutableSchema({ typeDefs, resolvers });

graphql-compose:

graphql-compose example

const { schemaComposer } = require('graphql-compose');

// Create a simple type
const UserTC = schemaComposer.createObjectTC({
  name: 'User',
  fields: {
    id: 'ID!',
    name: 'String!',
  },
});

// Add a query
schemaComposer.Query.addFields({
  user: {
    type: UserTC,
    resolve: () => ({ id: '1', name: 'John Doe' }),
  },
});

// Build schema
const schema = schemaComposer.buildSchema();

type-graphql:

type-graphql example

import 'reflect-metadata';
import { ObjectType, Field, ID, Resolver, Query, buildSchema } from 'type-graphql';
import { ApolloServer } from 'apollo-server';

@ObjectType()
class User {
  @Field(type => ID)
  id: string;

  @Field()
  name: string;
}

@Resolver()
class UserResolver {
  @Query(returns => User)
  user() {
    return { id: '1', name: 'John Doe' };
  }
}

async function main() {
  const schema = await buildSchema({
    resolvers: [UserResolver],
  });

  const server = new ApolloServer({ schema });
  server.listen(4000, () => {
    console.log('Server is running on http://localhost:4000');
  });
}

main();

apollo-server:

apollo-server example

const { ApolloServer, gql } = require('apollo-server');

// Define schema
const typeDefs = gql`
  type Query {
    hello: String
  }
`;

// Define resolvers
const resolvers = {
  Query: {
    hello: () => 'Hello, world!',
  },
};

// Create server
const server = new ApolloServer({ typeDefs, resolvers });

// Start server
server.listen().then(({ url }) => {
  console.log(`Server ready at ${url}`);
});