Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GraphiQL VS swagger.io

Compare GraphiQL VS swagger.io and see what are their differences

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GraphiQL logo GraphiQL

An in-browser IDE for exploring GraphQL

swagger.io logo swagger.io

Swagger is an open source RESTapi Documentation Tool.
  • GraphiQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-04
  • swagger.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-11

GraphiQL features and specs

  • Interactive Interface
    GraphiQL provides an interactive environment for testing and experimenting with GraphQL queries, allowing developers to easily explore and understand GraphQL APIs.
  • Auto-completion
    The tool offers auto-completion of query terms and field names, enhancing developer productivity by reducing errors and speeding up the query writing process.
  • Documentation Explorer
    GraphiQL has an inbuilt documentation explorer which provides instant access to the API documentation, helping developers quickly find the necessary information.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    With its syntax highlighting feature, GraphiQL improves query readability, making it easier for developers to spot syntax errors or understand complex queries.
  • Real-time Feedback
    GraphiQL provides instant feedback on query execution, displaying errors or results immediately, which aids in rapid debugging and iteration.

Possible disadvantages of GraphiQL

  • Limited to GraphQL
    GraphiQL is specifically designed for GraphQL APIs, meaning it is not suitable for testing or interacting with RESTful APIs or other types of services.
  • Performance Overhead
    For large and complex schemas, GraphiQL might experience performance issues, including slow loading times and lag in auto-completion.
  • Security Concerns
    When exposed in production environments, GraphiQL could potentially expose sensitive API data, which requires careful management of access and permissions.
  • Lacks Some Advanced Features
    Although GraphiQL is feature-rich, it may lack some advanced features or customizability required for specific development needs or large enterprise environments.

swagger.io features and specs

  • Comprehensive Documentation
    Swagger.io offers extensive documentation that is easy to understand, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users to document and visualize APIs.
  • Interactive API Exploration
    Swagger UI allows developers to test endpoints directly from the browser, which significantly enhances the API development and debugging process.
  • Automated Code Generation
    Swagger can generate client and server code in multiple languages, reducing the time and effort needed to develop APIs.
  • Standardization
    Swagger adheres to the OpenAPI Specification, which is widely recognized and helps in maintaining a standard format across different APIs.
  • Wide Adoption
    Being one of the most popular tools for API documentation, Swagger has a large community and wide industry adoption, which facilitates better support and resources.
  • Third-Party Integrations
    Swagger supports numerous third-party integrations, enabling seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines and other development workflows.

Possible disadvantages of swagger.io

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its comprehensive documentation, there can be a steep learning curve for beginners who are not familiar with API documentation and the OpenAPI Specification.
  • Complexity with Large APIs
    For very large APIs with numerous endpoints, the Swagger UI can become unwieldy and less performant, making it difficult to manage and visualize.
  • Customization Limitations
    While Swagger offers a lot of out-of-the-box features, there are limitations in terms of customizing the UI and some other aspects without delving into code.
  • Dependency on Additional Tools
    To fully utilize Swagger's capabilities, especially in code generation and testing, developers often need to rely on additional tools and libraries, which can add to the complexity.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running the Swagger documentation server can introduce some performance overhead, which might be noticeable in environments with limited resources.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GraphiQL and swagger.io)
MySQL Tools
100 100%
0% 0
API Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Databases
100 100%
0% 0
Documentation
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 GraphiQL and swagger.io

GraphiQL Reviews

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swagger.io Reviews

Introduction to Doxygen Alternatives In 2021
Swagger io is a software application In the Documentation as a Service & Tools department of a technology stack. It is an open-source tool. Swagger io is an independent set of Javascript, CSS, and HTML tools from a Swagger-compliant API that dynamically produces paperwork and sandbox.
Source: www.webku.net
Doxygen Alternatives
Swagger io is a software In the Documentation as a Service & Tools division of a technology stack. It is an open-source tool. Swagger io is an independent set of Javascript, CSS, and HTML tools from a Swagger-compliant API that dynamically creates documentation and sandbox.
Source: www.educba.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, swagger.io should be more popular than GraphiQL. It has been mentiond 95 times since March 2021. 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.

GraphiQL mentions (25)

  • Getting started with GraphQL
    With the local server running, you can access GraphiQL at http://localhost:1313/admin/#/graphql. GraphiQL is a reference implementation of the GraphQL API playground. If it's too basic for you, there's a commercial alternative called Apollo. The TinaCMS implementation gives you three options (selected from the icons on the left):. - Source: dev.to / 27 days ago
  • Cross-Posting to Hashnode with API
    Hashnode API is well-documented. Also, it comes with a GraphiQL playground. You can use the playground to explore the API and test your queries. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Migrating Netflix to GraphQL Safely
    > FYI, GraphiQL is deprecated, GraphQL Playground is a good alternative. You have this backwards. https://github.com/graphql/graphql-playground/issues/1366#issuecomment-1062088978. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Build Smarter, Not Harder: Simplifying Backend Workflows with Build-time GraphQL
    GraphQL is declarative and self-documenting by nature. There’s a single endpoint, and all available data, relationships, and APIs can be explored and consumed by client teams (via the GraphiQL interface or just Introspection) without constantly going back and forth with backend teams. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • GraphQL IDEs: GraphiQL vs Altair
    GraphiQL is one of the most well-known GraphQL IDEs. Originally developed by Facebook, it is an in-browser tool that enables developers to write, validate, and test GraphQL queries. It is open-source and can be integrated into any project that uses GraphQL. Recently, GraphiQL has been revamped with a new UI and several new features as you can read in ths blog post I wrote earlier. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
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swagger.io mentions (95)

  • How API Schema Validation Boosts Effective Contract Testing
    OpenAPI (Swagger): A comprehensive approach to API design that includes built-in schema validation capabilities. - Source: dev.to / 4 days ago
  • 🚀 The Ultimate Guide to REST API Design: Best Practices & Patterns You Can’t Ignore
    Not documenting your API (use tools like Swagger). - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Squido: A Beginner’s Guide to the HTML Website Generator
    Swagger API doc: It enables swagger and generates your super fast static API documentation. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • API Lifecycle Management: Key Strategies for Success
    Comprehensive documentation is vital for the success of an API. Providing clear, developer-friendly documentation helps users understand how to use the API effectively. Tools like Swagger and Postman offer powerful documentation capabilities. Swagger allows developers to create interactive API documentation, while Postman provides detailed guides and examples. For instance, a survey by Postman revealed that 95% of... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • API Titans Collide: OpenAPI vs. Swagger vs. Postman – The 2025 Developer’s Guide
    Imagine standing at the crossroads of innovation where three API titans—OpenAPI, Swagger, and Postman—are not just tools, but partners in your journey toward building robust, user-friendly APIs. In 2025, as the API landscape evolves faster than ever, choosing the right tool isn’t just about convenience—it’s about empowering your development process and giving your projects a competitive edge. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing GraphiQL and swagger.io, you can also consider the following products

PostGIS - Open source spatial database

Doxygen - Generate documentation from source code

GraphQL - GraphQL is a data query language and runtime to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps.

Swagger UI - Swagger UI is a dependency-free collection of HTML, Javascript, and CSS assets that dynamically generate beautiful documentation from a Swag

Slick - A jquery plugin for creating slideshows and carousels into your webpage.

Apigee - Intelligent and complete API platform