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APIs · head to head

Hasura vs Vitest

Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vitest logo

Vitest

Testing

Fast unit test framework powered by Vite

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; Vitest assumes Vite: projects on webpack or other bundlers lose the main advantage
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers GraphQL API, Vitest covers Shares Vite config.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and Vitest actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and Vitest differ
AttributeHasuraVitest
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWebLinux, macOS, Windows
CategoryAPIsTesting
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 Vitest

  • Shares Vite config
  • Jest-compatible API
  • Fast watch mode
  • ESM and TypeScript native

What people use each for

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

Hasura

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

Vitest

  • Unit testing an application already built with Vite, without a second build confignot Hasura
  • Migrating from Jest for faster watch-mode feedbacknot Hasura
  • Testing TypeScript and ESM code without transform configurationnot 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

Vitest

  • Assumes Vite: projects on webpack or other bundlers lose the main advantage
  • Younger than Jest, so some plugins and matchers in the Jest ecosystem have no equivalent
  • Jest compatibility is close but not exact, and unusual Jest configurations still need work to port

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

Vitest

Free
  • VitestFree
    • Full functionality
    • Unlimited tests
    • 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 Vitest if

  • You need shares vite config.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want jest-compatible api.
Vitest review

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or Vitest better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura starts at Free and Vitest at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hasura or Vitest?
Hasura starts at Free and Vitest at Free.
Does Hasura or Vitest run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. Vitest 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 Vitest is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that Vitest cannot?
Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL. Vitest covers Shares Vite config, Jest-compatible API, Fast watch mode, ESM and TypeScript native.

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
Vitest: Is Vitest free?

Yes, open source under the MIT 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
Vitest: Is Vitest compatible with Jest?

The API is deliberately Jest-compatible and most migrations are mechanical, though unusual configurations and some ecosystem plugins need attention.

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
Vitest: Do I need Vite to use Vitest?

It works without a Vite app but the main benefit — sharing one config and transform pipeline — only applies if you are already using Vite.

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