Free and open first
Best GraphQL Tools in 2026
GraphQL tools can support different stages of API development, including schema exploration, client work, testing and coordination. Compare API explorer, client code generation, operation testing and schema registry support, as well as deployment model and server languages. Free-plan availability and “Paid from” pricing add practical context for evaluating your options. Altair GraphQL Client, Apollo Studio and Apollo Client are among the entries shown. Consider which capabilities fit the work at hand, whether you are exploring APIs, generating client code, testing operations or supporting schema management.
- 32 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Altair GraphQL Client
Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+3Altair offers a broad set of GraphQL query and schema tools, with collaboration features through its Cloud offering.
- 2
Apollo Client
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2Apollo Client offers data fetching, caching, and UI updates for JavaScript applications using GraphQL.
- 3
Ariadne
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Ariadne combines a schema-first Python GraphQL server with client generation and framework interoperability.
- 4
Amazon AppSync
Free plan APIWebAppSync provides GraphQL and pub/sub APIs with integrations for data sources, authorization, and observability.
- 5
Graphene
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedGraphene offers schema building, framework integrations, and testing tools for Python GraphQL API development. Check the documented setup requirements against your environment before installing.
- 6
GraphQL Hive
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebGraphQL Hive combines schema management, API observability, and gateway capabilities, with a free plan for small projects.
- 7
Hasura
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Hasura offers multiple API types, database connections, and deployment paths.
- 8
GraphiQL
Free plan Self-hostedWebGraphiQL combines browser-based GraphQL editing with an embeddable React package and several transport options.
- 9
gqlgen
Free plan Self-hostedgqlgen offers a schema-first, code-generating approach for Go GraphQL servers, with support for common operations and federation.
- 10
GraphQL Java
Free plan APISelf-hostedGraphQL Java provides the core tools for building and running GraphQL services in Java. Developers should account for its Java 11 minimum and the execution-strategy limitation on batching.
- 11
GraphQL.js
Free plan APIWebGraphQL.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.
- 12
GraphQL Kotlin
Free plan APISelf-hostedGraphQL Kotlin provides client and server libraries for Kotlin, with integrations for Spring Boot and Ktor. Consider the explicit Ktor route setup and schema type limitations when choosing it.
- 13
Hot Chocolate
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebHot Chocolate offers schema authoring, data-loading and observability tools for .NET GraphQL servers.
- 14
GraphQL Ruby
Free plan APISelf-hostedChoose the free GraphQL Ruby gem to add a GraphQL API to a Ruby or Rails application with schema, execution, and query validation tools.
- 15
PostGraphile
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebPostGraphile offers an open-source route to PostgreSQL-backed GraphQL APIs, with Pro protections and replica scaling for V4 Core.
- 16
async-graphql
Free plan Self-hostedasync-graphql offers broad GraphQL capabilities in a Rust server library, with multiple integrations and Apollo support.
- 17
Lighthouse
Free plan APISelf-hostedLighthouse brings GraphQL schema directives and data access features into Laravel applications, with Lumen configuration also documented.
- 18
Netflix DGS
Free plan APISelf-hostedDGS brings schema-first development, testing, federation, and several GraphQL features to Spring Boot projects.
- 19
WunderGraph Cosmo
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebCosmo combines federation, schema governance, subscriptions, and observability with self-hosted and managed deployment options.
- 20
Strawberry GraphQL
Free plan APISelf-hostedStrawberry GraphQL offers Python developers a self-hosted way to build GraphQL APIs with type hints, async support, extensions, and federation.
- 21
Relay
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebRelay offers query generation, data consistency, and interface features for React applications using GraphQL.
- 22
Mercurius
Free plan APISelf-hostedMercurius offers Fastify-oriented GraphQL server and gateway features, with federation, subscriptions, loaders, and query compilation.
- 23
urql
Free plan APIExtensionWeburql provides a flexible GraphQL client with document caching by default and an optional normalized cache.
- 24
Sangria
Free plan APISelf-hostedSangria provides Scala-focused GraphQL schema, parsing, execution, and analysis capabilities in a self-hosted library.
- 25
Apollo GraphOS
Free plan Web
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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