Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PocketBase.io VS GraphQL

Compare PocketBase.io VS GraphQL and see what are their differences

PocketBase.io logo PocketBase.io

Open Source backend with realtime database, authentication, file storage and admin dashboard, all compiled in 1 portable executable.

GraphQL logo GraphQL

GraphQL is a data query language and runtime to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps.
  • PocketBase.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-07

PocketBase is a Go backend (framework and app) that includes:

  • embedded database with realtime subscriptions
  • backed-in files and users management
  • convenient Admin dashboard UI
  • simple REST-ish API

And all of this compiles in a single portable executable.

  • GraphQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01

PocketBase.io

$ Details
free
Platforms
Web Linux Mac OSX Windows
Release Date
2022 July

PocketBase.io features and specs

  • Realtime database
  • Authentication via email/password
  • Authentuication via OAuth2
  • Files management
  • Admin dashboard

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.

PocketBase.io videos

No PocketBase.io videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

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 PocketBase.io and GraphQL)
Developer Tools
39 39%
61% 61
Realtime Backend / API
100 100%
0% 0
JavaScript Framework
0 0%
100% 100
Web Frameworks
45 45%
55% 55

User comments

Share your experience with using PocketBase.io and GraphQL. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GraphQL should be more popular than PocketBase.io. It has been mentiond 247 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.

PocketBase.io mentions (95)

  • Fast, Simple and Open Firebase Alternative: TrailBase
    Nice, something similar built with Golang: https://pocketbase.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • PocketBase: Backend Made Simple
    If you're a solo developer or part of a small team, let me introduce you to one of the best-kept secrets in backend development: PocketBase. - Source: dev.to / 14 days ago
  • PocketBase + React Native
    I have a bit of an obsession with finding the fastest way to launch apps. My goal is to be able to create fully functional MVP's and proofs of concept in less than a day. That means being able to spin up a backend and then implement a frontend as efficiently as possible. For the backend, PocketBase has been my favorite lately. On the frontend I am still trying to find a winner. I like Quasar (VueJS + Capacitor)... - Source: dev.to / 19 days ago
  • Manifest: A 1-file micro-back end
    Are you aware of pocketbase? https://pocketbase.io/ I think it could work for your usecase, even though its generally focused on being a backend. I have had a very nice experience. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Goravel: A Go framework inspired by Laravel
    For quick prototyping I really like https://pocketbase.io/ I am actually using this for a production site that gets 1 million requests per day. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
View more

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 / 1 day 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 / 13 days ago
  • 🚀 REST API vs. GraphQL: Which One Should You Use in 2025?
    📌 Learn more about GraphQL: https://graphql.org/. - Source: dev.to / 2 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 / 3 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 PocketBase.io and GraphQL, you can also consider the following products

Supabase - An open source Firebase alternative

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

Firebase - Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications for mobile and web.

React - A JavaScript library for building user interfaces

AppWrite - Appwrite provides web and mobile developers with a set of easy-to-use and integrate REST APIs to manage their core backend needs.

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