API designs for microservice comparison.
Published: (February 5, 2026 at 05:17 PM EST)
1 min read
Source: Dev.to
Source: Dev.to
Core Comparison
| Aspect | REST | GraphQL | gRPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Style | Resource-oriented | Query language with a schema | Remote Procedure Calls |
| Transport | HTTP/1.1 (mostly) | HTTP/1.1 or HTTP/2 | HTTP/2 |
| Data Format | JSON (XML optional) | JSON | Protocol Buffers (binary) |
| Endpoints | Multiple URL endpoints | Single endpoint (/graphql) | Method names within services |
| Typing/Schema | Weak typing | Strongly typed schema | Strongly typed via .proto |
| Tooling & Ecosystem | Very mature | Growing fast | Strong, but narrower scope |
| Typical Use Cases | Public APIs, simple CRUD | Flexible client‑driven data needs | High‑performance microservices |
Performance Metrics
| Metric | REST | GraphQL | gRPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latency | Moderate | Variable (depends on query complexity) | Very low |
| Throughput | Moderate | Depends (higher with precise queries) | Highest |
| Payload Size | JSON (often larger) | Depends on query | Small (binary) |
| Over‑fetching Risk | High | Minimal (client defines data) | Low (compact payloads) |
| Streaming Support | HTTP streaming possible | Subscriptions (via WebSockets) | Built‑in streaming |
Security & Caching
| Aspect | REST | GraphQL | gRPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication | OAuth2, JWT, API keys | JWT tokens, directive‑based auth | TLS/mTLS, ALTS |
| Authorization | Role‑based | Field‑level controls possible | Interceptor‑based |
| Caching | Native HTTP caching | Custom strategies required | Custom |
| Common Risks | Standard HTTP threats | Query complexity & DoS | Binary payload complexity |
Versioning Strategy
| Aspect | REST | GraphQL | gRPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Versioning | URL/version headers | Schema evolution & deprecation | Proto backward‑compatible changes |
| Breaking Changes | Explicit version bump | Avoid by deprecation | Avoid by compatible proto rules |
| Schema Contract | Implicit | Defined via GraphQL schema | Defined via .proto |