Softwr

API Management · head to head

GraphQL Playground vs WSO2 API Manager

GraphQL Playground logo

GraphQL Playground

API Management

GraphQL IDE and documentation tool for building GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WSO2 API Manager logo

WSO2 API Manager

API Management

Complete API management platform for designing and managing APIs

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; WSO2 API Manager the free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Playground covers Query building, WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GraphQL Playground and WSO2 API Manager actually diverge.

Attributes where GraphQL Playground and WSO2 API Manager differ
AttributeGraphQL PlaygroundWSO2 API Manager
PlatformsWeb, Electron, Self-hostedJava, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded20182005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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
  • Web support
  • Electron support

Only in WSO2 API Manager

  • API Gateway
  • API Designer
  • Developer Portal
  • LDAP
  • Okta
  • Keycloak
  • Microservices
  • Java support

What people use each for

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

GraphQL Playground

  • API Developmentnot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Gatewaynot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Testingnot WSO2 API Manager
  • API Documentationnot WSO2 API Manager
  • Microservicesnot WSO2 API Manager

WSO2 API Manager

  • Publishing, securing and rate limiting APIs behind a gatewaynot GraphQL Playground
  • Running an API developer portal with subscription key managementnot GraphQL Playground
  • Self hosting an open source API management layer on premisesnot 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

WSO2 API Manager

  • The free open source distribution does not include a subscription to the WSO2 Update service, so continuous improvements and security patches require a paid subscription
  • A commercial production licence is not part of the free download and comes only with a subscription
  • No subscription price is published; Basic Support and Enterprise Support both require contacting sales for a quote
  • 24x7x365 coverage requires Enterprise Support; the general query SLA is one business day
  • A Customer Success Manager is a paid optional add on covering business hours only
  • Consulting services and WSO2 Private Cloud hosting are quoted separately

Pricing, plan by plan

GraphQL Playground

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full GraphQL IDE
    • Community support

WSO2 API Manager

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Core API management
    • Community support
  • Commercial$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Technical support
    • SLA

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 WSO2 API Manager if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want api designer.
WSO2 API Manager review

Questions people ask

Is GraphQL Playground or WSO2 API Manager better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Playground starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GraphQL Playground or WSO2 API Manager?
GraphQL Playground starts at Free and WSO2 API Manager at Free.
Does GraphQL Playground or WSO2 API Manager run on more platforms?
GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, Self-hosted. WSO2 API Manager runs on Java, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
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 WSO2 API Manager is typically brought in for.
What can GraphQL Playground do that WSO2 API Manager cannot?
GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers. WSO2 API Manager covers API Gateway, API Designer, Developer Portal, LDAP.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on GraphQL Playground

More on WSO2 API Manager

Keep looking

Other head to heads