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Dapper VS GraphQL

Compare Dapper VS GraphQL and see what are their differences

Dapper logo Dapper

Dapper is a user-friendly object mapper for the .NET framework.

GraphQL logo GraphQL

GraphQL is a data query language and runtime to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps.
  • Dapper Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-09-11
  • GraphQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01

Dapper features and specs

  • Performance
    Dapper is known for its high performance as it uses raw SQL queries and maps results directly to objects, which reduces the overhead of ORM frameworks.
  • Lightweight
    It is a micro ORM and thus does not add significant weight to the application. It only requires a single DLL, which is simple to integrate.
  • Flexibility
    Dapper provides the flexibility to write complex queries and take full advantage of SQL features, performing tasks that are cumbersome with full ORMs.
  • Easy Mapping
    Allows easy mapping of data from the database to C# objects, helping developers handle the conversion between the two seamlessly.
  • Open Source and Support
    Dapper is open-source and has a strong community support with regular updates and a wealth of resources available for learning and troubleshooting.

Possible disadvantages of Dapper

  • Lack of Built-in Features
    As a micro ORM, Dapper lacks some of the advanced features present in full-featured ORMs like Entity Framework, such as change tracking and full LINQ support.
  • Manual SQL Queries
    Developers need to write SQL queries manually, which can increase the risk of SQL injection and bugs if not handled carefully.
  • No Automatic Migration
    Unlike some ORMs, Dapper does not offer automatic database migration capabilities, requiring developers to handle schema changes separately.
  • Limited Database Support
    While Dapper supports many popular databases, it may not support niche databases or specific features that are easily managed by other ORMs.

GraphQL features and specs

  • Efficient Data Retrieval
    GraphQL allows clients to request only the data they need, reducing the amount of data transferred over the network and improving performance.
  • Strongly Typed Schema
    GraphQL uses a strongly typed schema to define the capabilities of an API, providing clear and explicit API contracts and enabling better tooling support.
  • Single Endpoint
    GraphQL operates through a single endpoint, unlike REST APIs which require multiple endpoints. This simplifies the server architecture and makes it easier to manage.
  • Introspection
    GraphQL allows clients to query the schema for details about the available types and operations, which facilitates the development of powerful developer tools and IDE integrations.
  • Declarative Data Fetching
    Clients can specify the shape of the response data declaratively, which enhances flexibility and ensures that the client and server logic are decoupled.
  • Versionless
    Because clients specify exactly what data they need, there is no need to create different versions of an API when making changes. This helps in maintaining backward compatibility.
  • Increased Responsiveness
    GraphQL can batch multiple requests into a single query, reducing the latency and improving the responsiveness of applications.

Possible disadvantages of GraphQL

  • Complexity
    The setup and maintenance of a GraphQL server can be complex. Developers need to define the schema precisely and handle resolvers, which can be more complicated than designing REST endpoints.
  • Over-fetching Risk
    Though designed to mitigate over-fetching, poorly designed GraphQL queries can lead to the server needing to fetch more data than necessary, causing performance issues.
  • Caching Challenges
    Caching in GraphQL is more challenging than in REST, since different queries can change the shape and size of the response data, making traditional caching mechanisms less effective.
  • Learning Curve
    GraphQL has a steeper learning curve compared to RESTful APIs because it introduces new concepts such as schemas, types, and resolvers which developers need to understand thoroughly.
  • Complex Rate Limiting
    Implementing rate limiting is more complex with GraphQL than with REST. Since a single query can potentially request a large amount of data, simple per-endpoint rate limiting strategies are not effective.
  • Security Risks
    GraphQL's flexibility can introduce security risks. For example, improperly managed schemas could expose sensitive information, and complex queries can lead to denial-of-service attacks.
  • Overhead on Small Applications
    For smaller applications with simpler use cases, the overhead introduced by setting up and maintaining a GraphQL server may not be justified compared to a straightforward REST API.

Dapper videos

DAPPER FRAGRANCES REVIEW... NOT SPONSORED!

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GraphQL videos

REST vs. GraphQL: Critical Look

More videos:

  • Review - REST vs GraphQL - What's the best kind of API?
  • Review - What Is GraphQL?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Dapper and GraphQL)
Web Frameworks
38 38%
62% 62
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Development
100 100%
0% 0
JavaScript Framework
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Dapper and GraphQL

Dapper Reviews

Essential .NET Core Libraries that Every Programmer should know
Dapper is another .NET Core mapping library focusing on the mapping between the programming language and database.
Source: positiwise.com

GraphQL Reviews

We have no reviews of GraphQL yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GraphQL seems to be a lot more popular than Dapper. While we know about 247 links to GraphQL, we've tracked only 8 mentions of Dapper. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Dapper mentions (8)

  • Guys, where do you shop for reasonably priced everyday office shoes?
    I've also heard good things about Thursday but never pulled the trigger. I tend to like Timberland boots, and while they aren't the most long-lasting, they are comfortable and can be had for very cheap if you wait for sales. I also have a pair of Banana Republic boots that I bought in a pinch a few years ago that have held up remarkably well and are super comfy. But Banana has gone through several revamps since... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Fashion advice for men
    Dappered.com They focus on budget friendly mens fashion beginner stuff. The most helpful is that they'll point out sales, but then give you direct recommendations on what to buy so you're not overwhelmed with choices. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Help with wardrobe to look older and clothing that is more durable?
    The only general advice I would give is to start on dappered.com. They target clothes beginners with quality affordable brands and will tell you exactly what to buy when there's a sale. You can also go to styleforum.net. Browse through their daily fit pics threads and just kind of take a note when someone looks good and what you like about it. Source: about 2 years ago
  • affordable men's fashion recommendations??
    Dappered.com if you're in the US. Their whole thing is affordable fashion for beginners. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Trying to dress like an adult. Help?
    Dappered.com They cover low cost mens fashion. Often when they post about a sale, they'll give you specific suggestions on what to buy. Source: over 2 years ago
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GraphQL mentions (247)

  • From REST to GraphQL: My First Impressions and Setup Experience
    Recently, I started exploring GraphQL while working on my MERN stack project. I learnt this through some youtube videos and some Other sources. Https://graphql.org/. - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • Top 10 Programming Trends and Languages to Watch in 2025
    Sonja Keerl, CTO of MACH Alliance, states, "Composable architectures enable enterprises to innovate faster by assembling best-in-class solutions." Developers must embrace technologies like GraphQL, gRPC, and OpenAPI to remain competitive. - Source: dev.to / 25 days ago
  • 🚀 REST API vs. GraphQL: Which One Should You Use in 2025?
    📌 Learn more about GraphQL: https://graphql.org/. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Next.js vs Nest.js: What to Choose in 2025?
    Nest.js has been most widely adopted in developing back-end applications such as RESTful APIs, GraphQL services, and microservices. With its modular design, this framework is well and truly set for large project management; it allows for smooth and efficient performance through built-in features such as dependency injection and strong middleware support. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • The Power of GraphQL: A Beginner’s Guide to Modern Web Development
    Overview: Managing data efficiently is crucial for delivering smooth user experiences in today's fast-paced digital world. One technology that has revolutionized data handling in web development is GraphQL. This query language for APIs has transformed the way developers interact with data sources, offering flexibility, efficiency, and speed. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Dapper and GraphQL, you can also consider the following products

Beego - Beego Web is official blog and documentation website for beego app web framework

gRPC - Application and Data, Languages & Frameworks, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), and Service Discovery

Mikro orm - TypeScript ORM for Node.js based on Data Mapper, Unit of Work and Identity Map patterns.

React - A JavaScript library for building user interfaces

Entity Framework - See Comparison of Entity Framework vs NHibernate.

Next.js - A small framework for server-rendered universal JavaScript apps