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GraphQL Apollo vs curl

GraphQL Apollo logo

GraphQL Apollo

Software

Complete platform for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
curl logo

curl

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GraphQL Apollo standard and Enterprise tiers publish no figures and require contacting sales through a Talk to Sales link, while paid usage is metered at $5 per million requests rather than by seat; curl free and open source under an MIT/X derivate license, with no commercial pricing tier; funded only by voluntary sponsorship
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, curl covers HTTP/HTTPS.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GraphQL Apollo and curl differ
AttributeGraphQL Apollocurl
PlatformsJavaScript, Node.js, Web, MobileLinux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile
Founded20161997

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 GraphQL Apollo

  • Apollo Server
  • Apollo Client
  • GraphQL Federation
  • REST APIs
  • Microservices
  • Databases
  • JavaScript support
  • Node.js support

Only in curl

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

Both cover

  • Mobile support

What people use each for

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

GraphQL Apollo

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

curl

  • 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.

GraphQL Apollo

  • Standard and Enterprise tiers publish no figures and require contacting sales through a Talk to Sales link, while paid usage is metered at $5 per million requests rather than by seat
  • Developer plan caps at 10 users and Standard caps at 30 users before requiring the sales-gated Enterprise tier

curl

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

Pricing, plan by plan

GraphQL Apollo

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Apollo Server
    • Apollo Client
    • Community support
  • Studio Starter$49/monthly
    • Apollo Studio
    • GraphQL monitoring
    • Collaboration
  • Studio Professional$399/monthly
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support
    • SLA

curl

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full curl functionality
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose GraphQL Apollo if

  • You need apollo server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want apollo client.
GraphQL Apollo review

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

Questions people ask

Is GraphQL Apollo or curl better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Apollo starts at Free and curl at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GraphQL Apollo or curl?
GraphQL Apollo starts at Free and curl at Free.
Does GraphQL Apollo or curl run on more platforms?
GraphQL Apollo runs on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile. curl runs on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Unix, Mobile.
Can I use GraphQL Apollo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GraphQL Apollo best used for?
GraphQL Apollo is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation.
What can GraphQL Apollo do that curl cannot?
GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, Apollo Client, GraphQL Federation, REST APIs. curl covers HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, Multiple protocols, Universal compatibility. Both handle Mobile support.
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