Netflix DGS

Free plan APISelf-hosted

What Netflix DGS is

Netflix DGS is an open-source GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot, intended to help developers build GraphQL services in Java or Kotlin. Its annotation-based programming model supports schema-first development: projects place schema files in `src/main/resources/schema`, and a Gradle plugin can generate Java types from those schemas. Projects can use Gradle or Maven. DGS includes a framework for lightweight GraphQL query unit tests and data loaders that batch requests to help address the N+1 problem. It supports GraphQL Federation, subscriptions over WebSockets and SSE, file uploads, error handling, and extension points. Spring Security integration allows configured applications to apply `@Secured` to data fetchers. DGS also integrates with Spring for GraphQL, though that integration lacks SSE subscription support and some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring for GraphQL data loaders. A browser GraphiQL editor and an IntelliJ plugin are available. The framework is self-hosted and free under Apache-2.0. Current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17.

Who it suits

DGS suits Java or Kotlin developers building GraphQL services with Spring Boot who want schema-first development and testing tools. Teams considering Spring for GraphQL integration should account for its stated subscription and data-loader limitations.

What it does well

Supports Java and Kotlin.
Offers Gradle and Maven projects.
Includes lightweight query testing.
Supports GraphQL Federation.
Free under the Apache-2.0 license.

What to know first

Current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17.
Spring GraphQL integration lacks SSE subscriptions.
Some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring GraphQL loaders.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Netflix DGS Framework	Open source GraphQL framework for Java and Spring Boot	Free

As netflix.github.io lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Netflix DGS website and follow its getting-started guide.
Choose Java or Kotlin and Gradle or Maven for the project.
Use the documented Spring Boot and JDK requirements for the version you select.
Add schema files under `src/main/resources/schema`.
Use the Gradle code generation plugin if you want Java types generated from the schema.
Run the service to open the browser-based GraphiQL editor.

Verdict

DGS brings schema-first development, testing, federation, and several GraphQL features to Spring Boot projects. Check the required versions and Spring for GraphQL integration limits against your setup.

Questions

How much does Netflix DGS cost?

The listed plan is free. DGS is open source under the Apache-2.0 license.

What languages and build tools does DGS support?

The getting-started guide supports Java or Kotlin, with Gradle or Maven.

What are the current documented requirements?

The current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17. The repository says DGS 11+ with Spring Boot 4 is actively maintained.

Can I use DGS with Spring for GraphQL?

Yes. The integration allows use of Spring for GraphQL features and web transports, but it lacks SSE-based subscriptions and some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring for GraphQL data loaders.

Does DGS support self-hosting and API exploration?

Yes. Its deployment model is self-hosted, and it provides a GraphiQL query editor that can be opened in a browser while the service is running.

Does DGS offer a free trial?

No. The listed free plan is free, and there is no free trial.

Facts from Netflix DGS's own pages

Additional features: The framework includes GraphQL subscriptions over WebSockets and SSE, file uploads, error handling, and extension points. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Build tools: Projects can use Gradle or Maven, with Java or Kotlin. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Code generation: Its Gradle code generation plugin generates Java types from a GraphQL schema. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Compatibility status: The repository says DGS 11+ with Spring Boot 4 is actively maintained, while DGS 10.x with Spring Boot 3 receives most feature backports until the second half of 2026. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Data loaders: Data loaders batch data requests to help solve the GraphQL N+1 problem. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Federation: DGS supports GraphQL Federation and can reference and extend federated types. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
GraphiQL: The framework provides a GraphiQL query editor that can be opened in a browser while the service is running. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
IDE plugin: An IntelliJ plugin provides navigation between schema files and code, hints, and quick fixes. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Language and build tools: The getting-started guide supports Java or Kotlin and Gradle or Maven. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
License: The repository lists the Apache-2.0 license. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Maintainer: Netflix primarily maintains the framework, with an active community around it. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Programming model: DGS provides an annotation-based programming model for Java and Kotlin. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Purpose: DGS is a GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot that makes it easier to create GraphQL services. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Requirements: The current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17; DGS 5.x, which supported Spring Boot 2 and JDK 8, is no longer maintained. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Schema development: DGS is designed for schema-first development and loads schema files from the project's src/main/resources/schema folder. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Security integration: DGS integrates with Spring Security, allowing @Secured to be applied to data fetchers after Spring Security is configured. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Spring GraphQL integration limitation: The integration currently lacks support for SSE-based subscriptions and some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring for GraphQL data loaders. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Spring integration: DGS integrates with Spring for GraphQL, allowing users to use Spring for GraphQL features and web transports with DGS. · netflix.github.io, 9 Oct 2026
Testing: DGS includes a test framework for running GraphQL queries in lightweight unit tests. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026

Where Netflix DGS stands on Freedom251

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