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curl vs GraphQL Playground

curl logo

curl

Software

Command-line tool for transferring data using URLs with wide protocol support

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphQL Playground logo

GraphQL Playground

Software

GraphQL IDE and documentation tool for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: curl free and open source under an MIT/X derivate license, with no commercial pricing tier; funded only by voluntary sponsorship; GraphQL Playground apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead
  • They diverge on capability: curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, GraphQL Playground covers Query building.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which curl and GraphQL Playground actually diverge.

Attributes where curl and GraphQL Playground differ
AttributecurlGraphQL Playground
PlatformsLinux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, MobileWeb, Electron, Self-hosted
Founded19972018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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 curl

  • HTTP/HTTPS
  • FTP
  • Multiple protocols
  • Universal compatibility
  • Scripting tools
  • Linux support
  • MacOS support
  • Windows support

Only in GraphQL Playground

  • Query building
  • Schema introspection
  • Real-time testing
  • GraphQL servers
  • Apollo Studio
  • Custom servers
  • Web support
  • Electron support

What people use each for

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

curl

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

GraphQL Playground

  • API Development
  • API Gateway
  • API Testing
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices

Both are used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation, microservices, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

curl

  • Free and open source under an MIT/X derivate license, with no commercial pricing tier; funded only by voluntary sponsorship

GraphQL Playground

  • Apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead

Pricing, plan by plan

curl

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full curl functionality
    • Community support

GraphQL Playground

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full GraphQL IDE
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose curl if

  • You need http/https.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile.
  • You also want ftp.
curl review

Choose GraphQL Playground if

  • You need query building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
  • You also want schema introspection.
GraphQL Playground review

Questions people ask

Is curl or GraphQL Playground better?
Neither clearly leads. curl starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, curl or GraphQL Playground?
curl starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free.
Does curl or GraphQL Playground run on more platforms?
curl runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile. GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
Can I use curl for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is curl best used for?
curl is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation.
What can curl do that GraphQL Playground cannot?
curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, Multiple protocols, Universal compatibility. GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers.
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