GraphQL.js
What GraphQL.js is
GraphQL.js is the official JavaScript implementation of the GraphQL specification. Developers use the library to build GraphQL servers, clients, tools, and schema workflows in JavaScript and TypeScript. It includes a parser, validator, executor, type system, and utilities. Developers can define a type schema and serve queries against it; its graphql function checks queries for syntactic and semantic validity before execution and reports invalid queries. The documentation identifies v17 as the current stable release and retains v16 for projects needing older Node.js versions. The getting-started instructions require Node.js 22 or newer, with installation commands for npm, pnpm, yarn, and bun. GraphQL.js can run in a Node server or browser and is distributed in CommonJS and ESModule formats; the project says webpack and rollup builds should work. It is MIT-licensed, free, installable from npm, and intended for self-hosted use. The project fully supports its latest major version and provides bug and security fixes for the previous major version; older versions are unsupported. It has no Long-Term Support version.
Who it suits
It suits JavaScript and TypeScript developers building GraphQL servers, clients, tools, or schema workflows. It is intended for projects that can manage a self-hosted library and its supported version requirements.
What it does well
- Includes parser, validator, executor, type system, and utilities.
- Checks query syntax and semantics before execution.
- Runs in Node servers and browsers.
- MIT-licensed and free to install from npm.
- Installation instructions cover four package managers.
What to know first
- Getting-started instructions require Node.js 22 or newer.
- No Long-Term Support version is offered.
- Versions older than the previous major are unsupported.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| GraphQL.js | MIT-licensed JavaScript library · installable from npm | Free |
As graphql-js.org lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the GraphQL.js documentation website.
- Use Node.js 22 or newer for the documented getting-started instructions.
- Install the library with npm, pnpm, yarn, or bun.
- Choose a Node server or browser environment for use.
- Select v16 if your project needs older Node.js versions.
Verdict
GraphQL.js provides the core components for working with GraphQL in JavaScript and TypeScript. Teams should account for its Node.js requirement and major-version support policy.
Questions
How much does GraphQL.js cost?
The GraphQL.js plan is free. It is an MIT-licensed JavaScript library distributed through npm.
Is there a free plan or trial?
GraphQL.js is free. There is no free trial.
Which platforms can run GraphQL.js?
It can be used in a Node server and in a browser. The project distributes CommonJS and ESModule files and says webpack and rollup builds should work.
What Node.js version does it require?
The getting-started instructions require Node.js 22 or newer. Version 16 remains available for projects that need older Node.js versions.
Is GraphQL.js open source?
Yes. It is MIT-licensed.
Who maintains GraphQL.js?
The GraphQL Foundation describes itself as a neutral foundation supporting GraphQL documentation, tools, events, and community infrastructure.
Facts from GraphQL.js's own pages
- Browser use
- GraphQL.js can be used in a Node server and in a browser, and the project says webpack and rollup builds should work. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project points users to its community resources and a Discord channel for upgrade assistance. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Core capabilities
- GraphQL.js lets developers build a type schema and serve queries against that schema. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Current version
- The documentation identifies v17 as the current stable release and says v16 remains available for projects needing older Node.js versions. · graphql-js.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The guide provides installation commands for npm, pnpm, yarn, and bun. · graphql-js.org, 7 Oct 2026
- License
- GraphQL.js is MIT-licensed. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Long-term support
- The project says it does not currently offer a Long-Term Support version. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Maintainer organization
- The GraphQL Foundation describes itself as a neutral foundation that supports GraphQL documentation, tools, events, and community infrastructure. · graphql.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Module formats
- The project distributes CommonJS and ESModule files for runtimes and bundlers. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- GraphQL.js is the official JavaScript implementation of the GraphQL specification, with a parser, validator, executor, type system, and utilities. · graphql-js.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Runtime support
- The getting started guide requires Node.js 22 or newer for its instructions. · graphql-js.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Security updates
- The project says critical security updates are applied to the current and previous major versions. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The project describes GraphQL.js as a library for building GraphQL servers, clients, tools, and schema workflows in JavaScript and TypeScript. · graphql-js.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Validation
- The graphql function checks a query for syntactic and semantic validity before execution and reports errors when it is invalid. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Version support
- The project says it fully supports the latest major version and supports the previous major version with bug and security fixes, while versions older than that are unsupported. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where GraphQL.js stands on Freedom251
- GraphQL Tools#11 of 32