Decision NoteResearchedMid-level

REST API or GraphQL?

Choose based on consumers, data shape, operations, and organizational needs—not fashion.

Last reviewed July 2026

I lean toward REST when

Resources and operations are stable, HTTP caching matters, consumers need simple tooling, and explicit endpoints make authorization and operations easier.

I consider GraphQL when

Multiple clients need meaningfully different data shapes, the domain benefits from a discoverable typed graph, and the team can operate query complexity, resolver performance, and field-level authorization.

The decision

Neither removes backend design. I choose the simplest contract that serves actual consumers and that the team can secure, observe, version, and support.

#rest#graphql#apis