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APIs · head to head

Hasura vs Swagger

Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Swagger logo

Swagger

APIs

API design and documentation platform for building, testing, and managing APIs

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; Swagger specific pricing details not published on main website; requires accessing pricing page or contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers GraphQL API, Swagger covers API Specification.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and Swagger actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and Swagger differ
AttributeHasuraSwagger
PlatformsWebWeb, CLI, Desktop
Founded20172011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Swagger

  • API Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Azure DevOps
  • Jira
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Hasura

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

Swagger

  • API Developmentnot Hasura
  • API Gatewaynot Hasura
  • API Testingnot Hasura
  • API Documentationnot Hasura
  • Microservicesnot 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

Swagger

  • Specific pricing details not published on main website; requires accessing pricing page or contacting sales

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

Swagger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Swagger UI
    • API documentation
  • Professional$20/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Team collaboration
    • API testing
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • Advanced security
    • Dedicated 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 Swagger if

  • You need api specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger review

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or Swagger better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura starts at Free and Swagger at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hasura or Swagger?
Hasura starts at Free and Swagger at Free.
Does Hasura or Swagger run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. Swagger runs on Web, CLI, Desktop.
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 Swagger is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that Swagger cannot?
Hasura covers GraphQL API, Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL. Swagger covers API Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub.

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
Swagger: How much does Swagger cost?

Swagger does not publish specific pricing details on its main website. A free tier is available with a Start Free Trial option. For detailed pricing information, users must visit the dedicated pricing page or contact Swagger sales directly.

Source
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
Swagger: Does Swagger offer a free plan?

Yes, Swagger offers a free tier described as simple, useful, and easy to master for API client functionality. Exact feature details and limitations are not specified on the homepage.

Source
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
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