Software · head to head
Stainless vs Hasura
Stainless
Software
Generates client SDKs, API docs, and MCP servers from an OpenAPI spec
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Hasura
Software
GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Stainless starter and Pro plan prices are not published and require contacting the company.; Hasura database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only
- They diverge on capability: Stainless covers SDK generation, Hasura covers GraphQL API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stainless and Hasura actually diverge.
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 Stainless
- SDK generation
- MCP server generation
- Docs site generation
- Webhooks and streaming support
- Automated unit tests
- Git integration
Only in Hasura
- GraphQL API
- Real-time subscriptions
- Access control
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Webhooks
- REST APIs
- Cloud support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stainless
- Generating typed SDKs for a public APInot Hasura
- Producing an MCP server from an existing OpenAPI specnot Hasura
- Building an API documentation site alongside client librariesnot Hasura
- Giving open-source APIs a free SDK generation pathnot Hasura
Hasura
- Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Stainless
- Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Stainless
- Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Stainless
- Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot Stainless
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Stainless
- Starter and Pro plan prices are not published and require contacting the company.
- The free plan caps APIs at 25 endpoints, which excludes larger production APIs.
- Overage charges apply per SDK/endpoint/month once limits are exceeded, which can make costs unpredictable at scale.
Hasura
- Database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only
Pricing, plan by plan
Stainless
Free- FreeFree
- Up to 5 generators (SDKs, docs, or MCP servers)
- 5 seats
- APIs with 25 or fewer endpoints
- Starter$undefined/mo
- Unlimited generators
- Expanded seats
- Private SDKs of any size
- Pro$undefined/mo
- Custom enterprise features and pricing
- Enterprise$undefined/mo
- Dedicated support
- SOC 2 compliance reports
- Purchase order/invoicing with negotiable terms
Hasura
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Hasura review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Stainless if
- You need sdk generation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web, api.
- You also want mcp server generation.
Choose Hasura if
- You need graphql api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want real-time subscriptions.
Questions people ask
- Is Stainless or Hasura better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stainless starts at Free and Hasura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stainless or Hasura?
- Stainless starts at Free and Hasura at Free.
- Does Stainless or Hasura run on more platforms?
- Stainless runs on web, api. Hasura runs on Web.
- Can I use Stainless for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Stainless best used for?
- Stainless is most often used for generating typed sdks for a public api, producing an mcp server from an existing openapi spec, building an api documentation site alongside client libraries, giving open-source apis a free sdk generation path. Of those, generating typed sdks for a public api and producing an mcp server from an existing openapi spec are not what Hasura is typically brought in for.
- What can Stainless do that Hasura cannot?
- Stainless covers SDK generation, MCP server generation, Docs site generation, Webhooks and streaming support. Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Stainless: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?
Yes. The Free plan supports up to 5 generators, 5 seats, APIs with 25 or fewer endpoints, and 100 preview builds per month, with email support.
SourceStainless: Who owns the generated SDK code?
The generated SDK code is owned by the customer and published by Stainless under the Apache 2.0 license.
SourceStainless: What happens if I exceed my plan's endpoint limit?
Customers exceeding their endpoint limits are billed per SDK, per endpoint, per month for the overage.
SourceRelated pages
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