"Should I use REST or GraphQL?" This question comes up in every project kickoff. After building APIs serving millions of requests daily with both approaches, here's the honest answer: it depends on your use case. Let me show you exactly when to use each.
The Quick Answer
Use REST when:
- Building simple CRUD applications
- You have clear, stable data requirements
- Caching is critical
- You want simplicity
Use GraphQL when:
- Mobile apps need flexible data fetching
- You have complex, nested data relationships
- Multiple clients need different data shapes
- You want to reduce API calls
REST API: The Tried and True
Simple Example
// REST endpoints
GET /api/users // Get all users
GET /api/users/123 // Get specific user
POST /api/users // Create user
PUT /api/users/123 // Update user
DELETE /api/users/123 // Delete user
// Fetching a user with posts
GET /api/users/123 // Returns user
GET /api/users/123/posts // Returns user's posts
GET /api/posts/456/comments // Returns post comments
// Problem: 3 API calls for related data
Next.js API Route Example
// app/api/users/[id]/route.ts
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
export async function GET(
request: Request,
{ params }: { params: { id: string } }
) {
const user = await db.user.findUnique({
where: { id: params.id }
});
if (!user) {
return NextResponse.json(
{ error: 'User not found' },
{ status: 404 }
);
}
return NextResponse.json(user);
}
Pros of REST:
- ✅ Simple and well understood
- ✅ Easy to cache (HTTP caching works out of the box)
- ✅ Great tooling and debugging
- ✅ Works with any client
- ✅ Smaller learning curve
Cons of REST:
- ❌ Over-fetching data (getting fields you don't need)
- ❌ Under-fetching data (multiple requests for related data)
- ❌ Version management challenges
- ❌ Documentation can get out of sync
GraphQL: The Flexible Alternative
Same Data, One Request
# Single GraphQL query
query GetUserWithPosts {
user(id: "123") {
id
name
email
posts {
id
title
comments {
id
text
author {
name
}
}
}
}
}
# Returns exactly what you asked for in ONE request
Next.js with GraphQL
// app/api/graphql/route.ts
import { createYoga } from 'graphql-yoga';
import { schema } from '@/lib/graphql/schema';
const { handleRequest } = createYoga({
schema,
graphqlEndpoint: '/api/graphql',
fetchAPI: { Response },
});
export { handleRequest as GET, handleRequest as POST };
// lib/graphql/schema.ts
import { createSchema } from 'graphql-yoga';
export const schema = createSchema({
typeDefs: `
type User {
id: ID!
name: String!
email: String!
posts: [Post!]!
}
type Post {
id: ID!
title: String!
content: String!
author: User!
}
type Query {
user(id: ID!): User
users: [User!]!
}
`,
resolvers: {
Query: {
user: async (_, { id }) => {
return await db.user.findUnique({
where: { id },
include: { posts: true }
});
},
users: async () => {
return await db.user.findMany();
}
}
}
});
Pros of GraphQL:
- ✅ Get exactly the data you need
- ✅ One endpoint for everything
- ✅ Strong typing and validation
- ✅ Excellent for mobile apps
- ✅ Self-documenting
Cons of GraphQL:
- ❌ Steeper learning curve
- ❌ Caching is more complex
- ❌ Can have N+1 query problems if not careful
- ❌ More server complexity
- ❌ Harder to rate limit
Performance Comparison
Mobile App Loading Dashboard
REST Approach:
Request 1: GET /api/user/profile → 45ms
Request 2: GET /api/user/stats → 52ms
Request 3: GET /api/user/notifications → 38ms
Request 4: GET /api/user/recent-orders → 61ms
Total: 196ms + network latency for 4 requests
GraphQL Approach:
Request 1: POST /api/graphql
{
user { profile, stats, notifications, recentOrders }
}
→ 78ms
Total: 78ms for 1 request
Winner for mobile: GraphQL (60% faster, especially on slow connections)
Real-World Decision Matrix
E-commerce Site
Our Choice: Next.js + REST Why:
- Simple CRUD operations
- Heavy caching needs
- SEO is critical
- Standard data shapes
Social Media App
Our Choice: Next.js + GraphQL Why:
- Complex nested relationships
- Mobile and web clients
- Different data needs per platform
- Real-time updates
Internal Dashboard
Our Choice: React + REST Why:
- No SEO needed
- Simple data requirements
- Team familiar with REST
- Quick to build
Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
You don't have to choose just one! Here's a pattern we use:
// REST for simple operations
GET /api/products // List products (cacheable)
POST /api/orders // Create order (simple)
// GraphQL for complex queries
POST /api/graphql
query {
dashboard {
user { ... }
analytics { ... }
notifications { ... }
}
}
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using GraphQL for Everything
Don't do this:
mutation {
createUser(input: {...}) // GraphQL mutation
}
When this is simpler:
POST /api/users // REST endpoint
Mistake 2: Creating Too Many REST Endpoints
Don't do this:
GET /api/user-with-posts-and-comments-and-likes
Do this instead:
GraphQL query with exactly what you need
Performance Tips
REST Optimization:
// app/api/users/route.ts
export async function GET(request: Request) {
// Add caching headers
return NextResponse.json(users, {
headers: {
'Cache-Control': 'public, s-maxage=3600, stale-while-revalidate=86400'
}
});
}
GraphQL Optimization:
// Use DataLoader to prevent N+1 queries
import DataLoader from 'dataloader';
const userLoader = new DataLoader(async (userIds) => {
const users = await db.user.findMany({
where: { id: { in: userIds } }
});
return userIds.map(id => users.find(u => u.id === id));
});
// In resolver
const user = await userLoader.load(userId); // Batched!
The Verdict for 2025
For most projects, start with REST. It's simpler, faster to build, and easier to optimize. Add GraphQL when you have:
- Multiple client applications with different needs
- Complex data relationships
- Mobile apps where bandwidth matters
- Teams that can handle the added complexity
Need Help Choosing?
We've built production APIs with both REST and GraphQL serving millions of users. Whether you need a simple REST API for your e-commerce store or a complex GraphQL setup for your SaaS platform, we can help you make the right choice and implement it correctly.
Key Takeaways:
- REST is simpler and easier to cache
- GraphQL is more flexible but more complex
- You can use both in the same application
- Choose based on your specific needs, not trends
- Next.js works great with both REST and GraphQL
Ready to build your API the right way? Let's discuss your project requirements.