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GraphQL Apollo vs PocketBase

GraphQL Apollo logo

GraphQL Apollo

Software

Complete platform for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PocketBase logo

PocketBase

Software

Open-source backend with REST API, real-time subscriptions and Admin UI

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; PocketBase not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, PocketBase covers REST API.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GraphQL Apollo and PocketBase differ
AttributeGraphQL ApolloPocketBase
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsJavaScript, Node.js, Web, MobileLinux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD
Founded20162021

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 GraphQL Apollo

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

Only in PocketBase

  • REST API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Admin UI
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • File storage
  • Go support
  • Docker support

What people use each for

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

GraphQL Apollo

  • API Developmentnot PocketBase
  • API Gatewaynot PocketBase
  • API Testingnot PocketBase
  • API Documentationnot PocketBase
  • Microservicesnot PocketBase

PocketBase

  • Embedded realtime database with REST APInot GraphQL Apollo
  • Backend-as-a-service for single-file deploymentsnot GraphQL Apollo
  • Rapid application development with email/OAuth2 authenticationnot GraphQL Apollo
  • File storage and media attachment managementnot GraphQL Apollo
  • Lightweight alternative to Firebase or traditional backend infrastructurenot GraphQL Apollo
  • Go and JavaScript customisable application frameworknot 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

PocketBase

  • Not recommended for production critical applications until reaching v1.0.0
  • Full backward compatibility not guaranteed before v1.0.0 (breaking changes possible with version updates)
  • Pull requests for new features are disabled due to spam concerns (feature contributions limited)

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

PocketBase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the PocketBase 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 PocketBase if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
  • You also want real-time subscriptions.
PocketBase review

Questions people ask

Is GraphQL Apollo or PocketBase better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Apollo starts at Free and PocketBase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GraphQL Apollo or PocketBase?
GraphQL Apollo starts at Free and PocketBase at Free.
Does GraphQL Apollo or PocketBase run on more platforms?
GraphQL Apollo runs on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile. PocketBase runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD.
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 PocketBase is typically brought in for.
What can GraphQL Apollo do that PocketBase cannot?
GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, Apollo Client, GraphQL Federation, REST APIs. PocketBase covers REST API, Real-time subscriptions, Admin UI, SQLite.
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