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GraphQL vs REST: Which API Style for Self-Hosted Apps

REST is simple and proven. GraphQL is flexible and efficient. Here's when each makes sense for self-hosted applications.

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REST: The Standard


REST maps HTTP methods to CRUD operations:

  • GET /users — list users
  • POST /users — create user
  • GET /users/123 — get user
  • PUT /users/123 — update user
  • DELETE /users/123 — delete user

    • Strengths

  • Simple to understand and implement
  • HTTP caching works out of the box
  • Stateless
  • Every developer knows it
  • Great tooling (Swagger/OpenAPI)

    • Weaknesses

  • Over-fetching: GET /users returns ALL fields even if you only need the name
  • Under-fetching: Need user + posts + comments? That's 3 requests
  • API versioning is painful

    • GraphQL: The Flexible Alternative


    One endpoint, one query language. Ask for exactly what you need.


    query {

    user(id: 123) {

    name

    posts {

    title

    comments { text }

    }

    }

    }


    Strengths

  • No over-fetching or under-fetching
  • One request for complex data needs
  • Strong typing with introspection
  • Clients define what they need
  • No versioning — add fields, deprecate old ones

    • Weaknesses

  • Complexity: resolvers, schemas, N+1 queries
  • HTTP caching is harder (everything is POST)
  • File uploads are awkward
  • Easy to write expensive queries (rate limiting is harder)

    • When to Use REST


  • Simple CRUD applications
  • Public APIs (easier for third-party consumers)
  • When HTTP caching is important
  • Small teams without GraphQL experience
  • Microservices communicating with each other

    • When to Use GraphQL


  • Complex data relationships
  • Mobile apps (bandwidth matters, fetch only what's needed)
  • Rapid frontend iteration (frontend changes without API changes)
  • Multiple client types (web, mobile, CLI) with different data needs

    • Self-Hosted GraphQL Tools


  • Hasura: Instant GraphQL API on top of PostgreSQL. Auto-generates queries, mutations, and subscriptions.
  • PostGraphile: PostgreSQL-focused GraphQL server

    • Both are excellent self-hosted options. Deploy on TinyPod and have a production GraphQL API in minutes.