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RxDB VS GraphQL

Compare RxDB VS GraphQL and see what are their differences

RxDB logo RxDB

A fast, offline-first, reactive Database for JavaScript Applications

GraphQL logo GraphQL

GraphQL is a data query language and runtime to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps.
  • RxDB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20

RxDB, which stands for Reactive Database, is a JavaScript-based NoSQL database designed for a wide range of applications such as websites, hybrid apps, Electron apps, progressive web apps, and Node.js. The "reactive" aspect of RxDB allows you not only to retrieve the current state of the database but also to subscribe to all changes in the state, including query results or specific fields within a document. This feature is particularly advantageous for real-time user interface applications, as it facilitates development and offers notable performance benefits. Additionally, RxDB can be utilized to build efficient backends in Node.js.

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

RxDB

Website
rxdb.info
$ Details
freemium €400.0 / Annually
Release Date
2016 December

RxDB features and specs

  • Offline-First Architecture
    RxDB is designed with an offline-first approach, allowing applications to function seamlessly without a constant internet connection by utilizing local storage and synchronizing with the server when online.
  • Reactive Data Stores
    The library offers real-time data synchronization and reactive data stores, enabling automatic updates to the UI when the underlying database changes.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    RxDB works across various platforms, including web browsers, Node.js, and mobile devices, providing flexibility for developers in building cross-platform applications.
  • Flexible Schema Management
    RxDB supports JSON Schema for defining data models, allowing developers to enforce data consistency and validation effectively.
  • Replication and Sync
    Comes with built-in replication features that ensure easy data synchronization between client and server databases, helping maintain data consistency across different devices and users.

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.

RxDB videos

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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 RxDB and GraphQL)
NoSQL Databases
100 100%
0% 0
Developer Tools
20 20%
80% 80
Databases
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 RxDB and GraphQL

RxDB Reviews

10 Best Open Source Firebase Alternatives
Reactive Database or RxDB is a real-time NoSQL database for JavaScript apps such as progressive web apps, electron apps, PWAs, hybrid apps, and websites. Reactive means that you get to query the current state while subscribing to all state changes like the result of a single field of a document or query.

GraphQL Reviews

We have no reviews of GraphQL yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GraphQL seems to be a lot more popular than RxDB. While we know about 245 links to GraphQL, we've tracked only 13 mentions of RxDB. 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.

RxDB mentions (13)

  • Stop Syncing Everything
    > I'm thinking to give it a try in one of my React Native apps that face very uncertain connectivity. Some similar stuff you may want to investigate (no real opinion, just sharing since I've investigated this space a bit): - https://rxdb.info. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Show HN: Triplit – Open-source syncing database that runs on server and client
    Looks like it could be a more batteries-included/opinionated alternative to RxDB (https://rxdb.info). The relational queries might help some people who tend to think in SQL as opposed to documents (as in CouchDB or MongoDB) and the WebSockets for synchronization will help people get started more quickly. (RxDB provides interfaces for those who want to implement their own storage engine and/or synchronization... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • HackNote
    Some years ago "offline-first" was a thing: https://web.archive.org/web/20170720174332/http://hood.ie/initiatives/#offline-first Primarily based on PouchDB/CouchDB. Now the site redirects to RxDB. https://rxdb.info/ There's still a site by that name but I don't quite understand what's the intention https://offlinefirst.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Ask HN: How Can I Make My Front End React to Database Changes in Real-Time?
    I'm interested in this problem also! I think there is a large overlap with projects that market/focus on offline-first experiences. AFAIK this problem can be solved by: 1) Considering a client-side copy of the database that gets synced with the remote DB. This is an approach [PowerSync](https://www.powersync.com/) and [ElectricSql](https://electric-sql.com/) and [rxdb](https://rxdb.info/) take! - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • You can't leak users' data if you don't hold it
    Hey, after I posted that, I went and gave a second look online to see if I could find something that would allow me to develop a local-first app with offline persistence and syncing capabilities. I ended up finding some possibilities out there that could potentially help me build stuff. One of them is RxDB [1], which offers WebRTC syncing - you'd still need a signaling server, I suppose, but all sensitive... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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GraphQL mentions (245)

  • 🚀 REST API vs. GraphQL: Which One Should You Use in 2025?
    📌 Learn more about GraphQL: https://graphql.org/. - Source: dev.to / about 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 / 3 months ago
  • Advantages of search databases
    To address the challenge about adding new filters and stuff in the API, there were attempts to optimize the process using tools and standards like Apicalypse and, of course, GraphQL. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • My Journey Deploying an API: From Novice to Docker Enthusiast
    Last Month (December 2024), I was tasked to deploy my organization's backend API—a task I had never attempted before. Armed with AWS server credentials and no prior experience, I relied on documentation and online resources to guide me through the setup. Testing the application locally went smoothly, but upon deployment, I hit a major snag: the GraphQL endpoint failed to respond, though the rest of the application... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

PouchDB - Open-source JavaScript database inspired by Apache CouchDB that's designed to run well within the browser

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

Redis - Redis is an open source in-memory data structure project implementing a distributed, in-memory key-value database with optional durability.

React - A JavaScript library for building user interfaces