Side by side

Amazon AppSync vs GraphiQL

Both stand on graphql tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Amazon AppSync

Free plan APIWeb

AppSync provides GraphQL and pub/sub APIs with integrations for data sources, authorization, and observability. The free tier and paid usage pricing differ by service, so account for operations, connections, data transfer, and optional caching.

Visit Amazon AppSync

GraphiQL

Free plan Self-hostedWeb

GraphiQL combines browser-based GraphQL editing with an embeddable React package and several transport options. Check browser requirements and the project's note about changing class names before relying on those details in an integration.

Visit GraphiQL

The facts

	Amazon AppSync	GraphiQL
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	API, Web	Self-hosted, Web
Lowest paid plan	See the plans	Free or on request
Plans published	2	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	aws.amazon.com	graphiql.dev
On graphql tools	#4 of 32	#8 of 32

Amazon AppSync: what it does well

One GraphQL request can reach multiple data sources.
Supports real-time events over WebSockets.
Includes several authorization modes.
CloudWatch and X-Ray integrations support observability.
A free plan is listed.

What to know first

No free trial is listed.
Usage charges vary with operations and data transfer.
Optional caching is billed hourly.
Customer compliance responsibilities depend on their circumstances.

GraphiQL: what it does well

Supports the latest GraphQL specification.
Offers query and variable completion.
Documentation explorer supports search and Markdown.
Fetcher supports HTTP and subscriptions.
MIT-licensed and free.

What to know first

Requires a fetcher function for API requests.
Does not support Internet Explorer.
Class names may change between releases.
A 2021 advisory identified an XSS issue through version 1.4.6.

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