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Software · head to head

AWS API Gateway vs Hasura

AWS API Gateway logo

AWS API Gateway

Software

Fully managed API gateway service for creating and managing APIs at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Hasura logo

Hasura

Software

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AWS API Gateway rEST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer; Hasura database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only
  • They diverge on capability: AWS API Gateway covers WebSocket APIs, Hasura covers GraphQL API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AWS API Gateway and Hasura actually diverge.

Attributes where AWS API Gateway and Hasura differ
AttributeAWS API GatewayHasura
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
PlatformsAWS CloudWeb
Founded20062017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AWS API Gateway

  • WebSocket APIs
  • HTTP APIs
  • Lambda
  • EC2
  • DynamoDB
  • CloudWatch
  • IAM
  • AWS Cloud support

Only in Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud support
  • Self-hosted support

Both cover

  • REST APIs

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AWS API Gateway

  • Fronting Lambda functions with an HTTP endpointnot Hasura
  • REST and HTTP API management with throttling and keysnot Hasura
  • WebSocket APIs for real-time clientsnot Hasura
  • Private APIs reachable only inside a VPCnot Hasura
  • Publishing a developer portal for API consumersnot Hasura

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot AWS API Gateway
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot AWS API Gateway
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot AWS API Gateway
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot AWS API Gateway

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AWS API Gateway

  • REST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer
  • Data transfer out is charged at $0.09 per GB on top of request pricing
  • WebSocket APIs bill connection minutes as well as messages, at $0.25 per million minutes
  • Private APIs avoid data transfer charges but incur AWS PrivateLink costs instead
  • The developer portal is $125 a month, with additional portal products at $12.50 each
  • The free tier lasts 12 months rather than being ongoing

Hasura

  • Database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only

Pricing, plan by plan

AWS API Gateway

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M requests per month
    • Basic API management
  • Pay-as-you-go$3.5/per 1M requests
    • Unlimited requests
    • HTTP APIs
    • REST APIs

Hasura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hasura review.

Which should you pick?

Choose AWS API Gateway if

  • You need websocket apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS Cloud.
  • You also want http apis.

Choose Hasura if

  • You need graphql api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.

Questions people ask

Is AWS API Gateway or Hasura better?
Neither clearly leads. AWS API Gateway starts at Free and Hasura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AWS API Gateway or Hasura?
AWS API Gateway starts at Free and Hasura at Free.
Does AWS API Gateway or Hasura run on more platforms?
AWS API Gateway runs on AWS Cloud. Hasura runs on Web.
Can I use AWS API Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AWS API Gateway best used for?
AWS API Gateway is most often used for fronting lambda functions with an http endpoint, rest and http api management with throttling and keys, websocket apis for real-time clients, private apis reachable only inside a vpc. Of those, fronting lambda functions with an http endpoint and rest and http api management with throttling and keys are not what Hasura is typically brought in for.
What can AWS API Gateway do that Hasura cannot?
AWS API Gateway covers WebSocket APIs, HTTP APIs, Lambda, EC2. Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL. Both handle REST APIs.

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