apollo-server-express vs graphql-yoga vs express-graphql vs mercurius vs apollo-server-fastify
GraphQL Server Libraries Comparison
1 Year
apollo-server-expressgraphql-yogaexpress-graphqlmercuriusapollo-server-fastify
What's GraphQL Server Libraries?

GraphQL server libraries provide tools and frameworks to implement GraphQL APIs, allowing developers to define a schema, handle queries and mutations, and manage data fetching efficiently. These libraries simplify the process of integrating GraphQL into existing web applications, offering various features such as middleware support, performance optimizations, and extensibility. Each library has its unique strengths and use cases, catering to different server frameworks and performance needs.

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apollo-server-express848,20713,87827.6 kB962 years agoMIT
graphql-yoga509,8128,370284 kB160a month agoMIT
express-graphql329,9266,313-554 years agoMIT
mercurius48,4592,429632 kB643 months agoMIT
apollo-server-fastify20,30913,87822.5 kB962 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: apollo-server-express vs graphql-yoga vs express-graphql vs mercurius vs apollo-server-fastify

Performance

  • apollo-server-express:

    Apollo Server Express is built on top of Express.js, which is known for its flexibility but may introduce some overhead. It is suitable for most applications but may not be the best choice for extremely high-performance scenarios where every millisecond counts.

  • graphql-yoga:

    GraphQL Yoga is designed to be easy to use while still providing good performance. It includes optimizations for handling subscriptions and real-time data, making it a solid choice for applications that require these features without sacrificing speed.

  • express-graphql:

    Express-GraphQL is lightweight and provides basic performance suitable for small to medium applications. However, it may not be as performant as other specialized libraries when scaling to handle many concurrent users.

  • mercurius:

    Mercurius is designed for high performance, taking advantage of Fastify's architecture to deliver fast response times. It is particularly well-suited for microservices and applications that require efficient data handling.

  • apollo-server-fastify:

    Apollo Server Fastify is optimized for performance, leveraging Fastify's asynchronous architecture and low overhead. It can handle a large number of concurrent requests, making it ideal for high-load applications where speed is critical.

Ease of Use

  • apollo-server-express:

    Apollo Server Express offers a familiar setup for developers already using Express.js, making it easy to integrate GraphQL into existing applications. Its extensive documentation and community support further enhance its usability.

  • graphql-yoga:

    GraphQL Yoga is designed for developer experience, providing a zero-configuration setup that allows you to get started quickly. It comes with built-in features like subscriptions and file uploads, making it user-friendly for beginners and experienced developers alike.

  • express-graphql:

    Express-GraphQL is minimalistic and easy to use, making it an excellent choice for developers who want to quickly implement a GraphQL API without unnecessary complexity. Its simplicity allows for rapid development and prototyping.

  • mercurius:

    Mercurius is easy to use for Fastify users, providing a simple API for defining schemas and resolvers. Its integration with Fastify's ecosystem makes it a seamless choice for developers already using Fastify.

  • apollo-server-fastify:

    Apollo Server Fastify is straightforward to set up, especially for those familiar with Fastify. It provides sensible defaults and a simple API, making it accessible for new users while still offering advanced features for experienced developers.

Extensibility

  • apollo-server-express:

    Apollo Server Express is highly extensible, allowing developers to add custom middleware, plugins, and integrations easily. This flexibility makes it suitable for complex applications that require tailored functionality.

  • graphql-yoga:

    GraphQL Yoga is built with extensibility in mind, allowing developers to customize and extend its functionality through middleware and plugins. It supports various integrations, making it a versatile choice for diverse applications.

  • express-graphql:

    Express-GraphQL is less extensible compared to others, focusing on simplicity and minimalism. While it can be extended, it may require more effort to integrate with other tools or libraries compared to more feature-rich options.

  • mercurius:

    Mercurius is designed to be extensible, allowing for custom plugins and hooks that can enhance its functionality. It integrates well with Fastify plugins, making it easy to build complex applications with additional features.

  • apollo-server-fastify:

    Apollo Server Fastify supports plugins and hooks, enabling developers to extend its capabilities. Its architecture allows for easy integration with other Fastify plugins, enhancing its functionality without compromising performance.

Community and Support

  • apollo-server-express:

    Apollo Server Express has a large and active community, providing extensive documentation, tutorials, and support channels. This makes it easier for developers to find help and resources when needed.

  • graphql-yoga:

    GraphQL Yoga has a supportive community and good documentation, making it easy for developers to find help. Its popularity is growing, and it is often recommended for new projects due to its ease of use.

  • express-graphql:

    Express-GraphQL has a smaller community compared to Apollo Server options, but it is well-documented and supported. It may not have as many resources available as more popular libraries, but it is still a reliable choice.

  • mercurius:

    Mercurius is part of the Fastify ecosystem, benefiting from its community and support. While it may not have as large a user base as some other libraries, it is well-documented and supported by the Fastify team.

  • apollo-server-fastify:

    Apollo Server Fastify is gaining popularity, with a growing community and support resources. While it may not be as extensive as Apollo Server Express, it benefits from the Fastify community's resources.

Integration with Other Tools

  • apollo-server-express:

    Apollo Server Express integrates seamlessly with various tools and libraries, including Apollo Client, GraphQL Playground, and more. This makes it a powerful choice for building comprehensive GraphQL applications.

  • graphql-yoga:

    GraphQL Yoga offers built-in integrations with popular tools like Apollo Client and GraphQL Playground, making it easy to set up a complete development environment for GraphQL applications.

  • express-graphql:

    Express-GraphQL can be integrated with various tools, but it may require additional configuration compared to more feature-rich libraries. It is compatible with many existing Express middleware and tools.

  • mercurius:

    Mercurius integrates well with Fastify plugins and can work alongside other Fastify tools, providing a streamlined experience for developers building applications in the Fastify ecosystem.

  • apollo-server-fastify:

    Apollo Server Fastify works well with Fastify plugins and can easily integrate with other tools in the Fastify ecosystem, providing a cohesive development experience.

How to Choose: apollo-server-express vs graphql-yoga vs express-graphql vs mercurius vs apollo-server-fastify
  • apollo-server-express:

    Choose Apollo Server Express if you are already using Express.js and want to leverage its middleware capabilities while benefiting from Apollo's powerful GraphQL features, such as caching and schema stitching.

  • graphql-yoga:

    Use GraphQL Yoga if you want an easy-to-use, full-featured GraphQL server that comes with built-in support for subscriptions, file uploads, and other advanced features. It is a great choice for developers looking for a quick setup with sensible defaults.

  • express-graphql:

    Select Express-GraphQL if you prefer a lightweight solution that integrates seamlessly with Express.js. It offers a straightforward setup for building a GraphQL API with minimal configuration and is ideal for smaller projects or when you want to keep dependencies to a minimum.

  • mercurius:

    Choose Mercurius if you are working with Fastify and need a highly performant GraphQL server with built-in support for schema generation and validation. It is designed for speed and efficiency, making it ideal for microservices and applications that require rapid response times.

  • apollo-server-fastify:

    Opt for Apollo Server Fastify if you prioritize performance and are using Fastify as your web framework. It is optimized for speed and can handle a high number of requests efficiently, making it suitable for high-performance applications.

README for apollo-server-express

npm version Build Status Join the community forum Read CHANGELOG

This is the Express integration of Apollo Server. Apollo Server is a community-maintained open-source GraphQL server that works with many Node.js HTTP server frameworks. Read the docs. Read the CHANGELOG.

A full example of how to use apollo-server-express can be found in the docs.

Before Apollo Server 3, we officially supported using this package with connect as well. connect is an older framework that express evolved from. For now, we believe that this package is still compatible with connect and we even run tests against connect, but we may choose to break this compatibility at some point without a major version bump. If you rely on the ability to use Apollo Server with connect, you may wish to make your own integration.

Principles

GraphQL Server is built with the following principles in mind:

  • By the community, for the community: GraphQL Server's development is driven by the needs of developers
  • Simplicity: by keeping things simple, GraphQL Server is easier to use, easier to contribute to, and more secure
  • Performance: GraphQL Server is well-tested and production-ready - no modifications needed

Anyone is welcome to contribute to GraphQL Server, just read CONTRIBUTING.md, take a look at the roadmap and make your first PR!