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APIs · head to head

Hasura vs Sphinx

Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sphinx logo

Sphinx

Documentation

Documentation generator built for large technical projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly; Sphinx reStructuredText is harder to write than Markdown and puts off contributors, though MyST now allows Markdown
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers GraphQL API, Sphinx covers Cross-references.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and Sphinx actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and Sphinx differ
AttributeHasuraSphinx
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWebLinux, macOS, Windows
CategoryAPIsDocumentation
Founded2017Unknown

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

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 Hasura

  • GraphQL API
  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support

Only in Sphinx

  • Cross-references
  • API autodoc
  • Multi-format output
  • Extension ecosystem

What people use each for

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

Hasura

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

Sphinx

  • Large technical documentation needing reliable cross-referencesnot Hasura
  • Python projects generating API docs from docstringsnot Hasura
  • Documentation that must ship as PDF as well as HTMLnot Hasura

Where each one falls short

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

Hasura

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

Sphinx

  • reStructuredText is harder to write than Markdown and puts off contributors, though MyST now allows Markdown
  • Configuration is complex and the default output is dated-looking without theme work
  • Build times on large documentation sets are slow
  • Heavier than the problem for a small project that only needs a few pages

Pricing, plan by plan

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

Sphinx

Free
  • SphinxFree
    • Full functionality
    • Commercial use permitted
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Hasura if

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

Choose Sphinx if

  • You need cross-references.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want api autodoc.
Sphinx review

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or Sphinx better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura starts at Free and Sphinx at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hasura or Sphinx?
Hasura starts at Free and Sphinx at Free.
Does Hasura or Sphinx run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. Sphinx runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Hasura for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hasura best used for?
Hasura is most often used for automatic graphql api generation from existing databases, real-time data subscriptions for modern applications, backend infrastructure for web and mobile applications, event-triggered webhooks for database changes. Of those, automatic graphql api generation from existing databases and real-time data subscriptions for modern applications are not what Sphinx is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that Sphinx cannot?
Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL. Sphinx covers Cross-references, API autodoc, Multi-format output, Extension ecosystem.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

Source
Sphinx: Is Sphinx free?

Yes, open source under the BSD licence.

Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

Source
Sphinx: Do I have to write reStructuredText?

Not any more. The MyST extension allows Markdown, though reStructuredText remains the native format and most examples use it.

Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

Source
Sphinx: Why do large projects choose Sphinx?

Automatic cross-referencing and API extraction from docstrings, which lighter generators do not provide.

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