GraphQL Ruby
What GraphQL Ruby is
GraphQL Ruby is a Ruby gem for adding a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications. It implements the GraphQL Server Specification and uses a strongly typed schema to describe an application’s API in a self-documenting form. The library serves queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries. Configurable depth and complexity checks help reject queries that are too deeply nested or complex.
Its authorization framework can control which parts of a schema are visible and check application objects during query execution; authentication is generally handled by the application controller. GraphQL::Dataloader batches external data access and caches results within a query, while AsyncDataloader supports parallel I/O. The documentation covers client use with Relay, Apollo Client, GraphQL.js Client, GraphiQL, urql, and custom JavaScript, plus monitoring integrations such as Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus, and Sentry.
The open-source gem is MIT licensed and costs nothing. GraphQL::Pro costs $1,100 a year and adds persisted queries, authorization integrations, Rack subscriptions, advanced cursors and IDs, and prioritized support. GraphQL::Enterprise costs $2,400 a year and adds rate limiting, server-side caching, and schema versioning to Pro. The commercial products use special commercial licenses.
Who it suits
GraphQL Ruby suits developers building GraphQL APIs in Ruby or Rails applications who want schema definition, query execution, and configurable query validation. Teams needing persisted queries, Rack subscriptions, or commercial support can consider GraphQL::Pro or Enterprise.
What it does well
- Implements the GraphQL Server Specification for Ruby applications.
- Serves queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries.
- Configurable depth and complexity checks help reject costly query shapes.
- Dataloader batches external access and caches results per query.
- Documentation covers multiple client and monitoring integrations.
What to know first
- The free gem is self-hosted and requires installation through RubyGems.
- Pro and Enterprise use commercial licenses and have annual prices.
- Authentication is generally handled by the application controller.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| GraphQL Ruby gem | Ruby gem implementing the GraphQL server specification | Free |
| GraphQL::Pro | $1100/year · Commercial license · Includes persisted queries, authorization integrations, Rack subscriptions, advanced cursors and IDs, and prioritized support | $1,100 a year |
| GraphQL::Enterprise | $2400/year · Commercial license · Includes Pro · Rate limiting, server-side caching, and schema versioning | $2,400 a year |
As graphql-ruby.org lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Add graphql to the application's Gemfile.
- Run bundle install to install the gem from RubyGems.
- Use the gem in a Ruby or Rails application deployed on your own infrastructure.
- Choose GraphQL::Pro or GraphQL::Enterprise for their commercial feature sets.
Verdict
Choose the free GraphQL Ruby gem to add a GraphQL API to a Ruby or Rails application with schema, execution, and query validation tools. Look at Pro or Enterprise when you need their commercial features; they cost $1,100 a year and $2,400 a year, respectively.
Questions
Is GraphQL Ruby free?
The GraphQL Ruby gem is free. GraphQL::Pro costs $1,100 a year, and GraphQL::Enterprise costs $2,400 a year.
What platforms does it support?
The listed platforms are API and self-hosted. The gem is for Ruby and Ruby on Rails applications.
Is GraphQL Ruby open source?
The graphql gem is listed with an MIT license. GraphQL::Pro and GraphQL::Enterprise use special commercial licenses.
What do the paid plans add?
Pro includes persisted queries, authorization integrations, Rack subscriptions, advanced cursors and IDs, and prioritized support. Enterprise includes Pro plus rate limiting, server-side caching, and schema versioning.
Which clients and monitoring tools are covered?
The docs describe Relay, Apollo Client, GraphQL.js Client, GraphiQL, urql, and custom JavaScript. Tracing integrations include ActiveSupport Notifications, AppSignal, Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus, Sentry, Scout APM, and StatsD.
Facts from GraphQL Ruby's own pages
- Authorization
- Its authorization framework supports schema visibility and checks application objects during query execution; authentication is generally handled by the application controller. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Client integrations
- The docs describe using Relay, Apollo Client, GraphQL.js Client, GraphiQL, urql, and custom JavaScript with GraphQL-Ruby. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Data loading
- GraphQL::Dataloader batches external data access, caches results per query, and AsyncDataloader supports parallel I/O. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Execution
- The library supports serving queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The open-source gem is installed from RubyGems by adding graphql to an application's Gemfile and running bundle install. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- RubyGems lists the graphql gem license as MIT, while GraphQL::Pro and GraphQL::Enterprise use special commercial licenses. · rubygems.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring integrations
- Tracing documentation lists integrations including ActiveSupport Notifications, AppSignal, Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus, Sentry, Scout APM, and StatsD. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Persisted queries
- The Pro OperationStore maintains normalized persisted queries using Rack and ActiveRecord or Redis storage backends, and can reject arbitrary queries when configured as a whitelist. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Pro support
- GraphQL::Pro customers receive direct access to the gem creator and maintainer, prioritized support, and can report issues or request features by GitHub issue or email. · graphql.pro, 4 Oct 2026
- Protection
- GraphQL-Ruby provides configurable query depth and complexity validations to help reject deeply nested or complex queries. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The graphql gem implements the GraphQL Server Specification in Ruby and adds a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Schema
- A GraphQL schema describes an application's API with a self-documenting, strongly typed type system. · graphql-ruby.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Supported application styles
- The Pro subscriptions feature works with Rails, Sinatra, Hanami, or another Rack-based framework and uses Redis with Pusher or Ably. · graphql.pro, 4 Oct 2026
Where GraphQL Ruby stands on Freedom251
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