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GraphQL Apollo vs Hasura

GraphQL Apollo logo

GraphQL Apollo

Software

Complete platform for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hasura logo

Hasura

Software

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

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; Hasura database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, Hasura covers GraphQL API.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GraphQL Apollo and Hasura differ
AttributeGraphQL ApolloHasura
PlatformsJavaScript, Node.js, Web, MobileWeb
Founded20162017

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
  • Microservices
  • Databases
  • JavaScript support
  • Node.js support
  • Web 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.

GraphQL Apollo

  • API Developmentnot Hasura
  • API Gatewaynot Hasura
  • API Testingnot Hasura
  • API Documentationnot Hasura
  • Microservicesnot Hasura

Hasura

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

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

Hasura

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

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

Hasura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hasura review.

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 Hasura if

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

Questions people ask

Is GraphQL Apollo or Hasura better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Apollo 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, GraphQL Apollo or Hasura?
GraphQL Apollo starts at Free and Hasura at Free.
Does GraphQL Apollo or Hasura run on more platforms?
GraphQL Apollo runs on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile. Hasura runs on Web.
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. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Hasura is typically brought in for.
What can GraphQL Apollo do that Hasura cannot?
GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, Apollo Client, GraphQL Federation, Microservices. Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL. Both handle REST APIs.
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