Softwr

API Management · head to head

GraphQL Playground vs Stoplight

GraphQL Playground logo

GraphQL Playground

API Management

GraphQL IDE and documentation tool for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

API Management

API design, documentation, and governance platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GraphQL Playground apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Stoplight covers API Design.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GraphQL Playground and Stoplight differ
AttributeGraphQL PlaygroundStoplight
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Electron, Self-hostedWeb, Cloud
Founded20182014

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

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 Playground

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

Only in Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Cloud support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

GraphQL Playground

  • API Developmentnot Stoplight
  • API Gatewaynot Stoplight
  • API Testingnot Stoplight
  • API Documentationnot Stoplight
  • Microservicesnot Stoplight

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot GraphQL Playground
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot GraphQL Playground

Where each one falls short

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

GraphQL Playground

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

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

Pricing, plan by plan

GraphQL Playground

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full GraphQL IDE
    • Community support

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Questions people ask

Is GraphQL Playground or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Playground starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GraphQL Playground or Stoplight?
GraphQL Playground starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does GraphQL Playground or Stoplight run on more platforms?
GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, Self-hosted. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
Can I use GraphQL Playground for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GraphQL Playground best used for?
GraphQL Playground is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can GraphQL Playground do that Stoplight cannot?
GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitHub. Both handle Web support.
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