Most popular GraphQL servers
Tags: graphql, webdev, beginners
Published: 2020-09-30 05:14:35

GraphQL is a query language for APIs that describes how to ask & fetch the data from the server to the client which of course requires setting up a server. Below you will find a list of the most popular GraphgQL server implementations. There’s quite a few of them so we’re not going to get through the lot of them in one go.

## Express GraphQL
It is said that [Express GraphQL](https://github.com/graphql/express-graphql) is the simplest way to run a GraphQL API server. Express is a popular web application framework for Node.js allowing you to create a GraphQL server with any HTTP web framework supporting connect styled middleware including [Express](https://expressjs.com/), [Restify](http://restify.com/) and, of course, [Connect](https://github.com/senchalabs/connect). Getting started is as easy as installing some additional dependencies in form of `npm install express express-graphql graphql --save`

![Express GraphQL](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/9swtzc8ys4c779ykihgq.png)

##### Source: [graphql.org](https://graphql.org/graphql-js/running-an-express-graphql-server/)



## Apollo GraphQL Server

[Apollo GraphQL Server](https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-server) is an open-source GraphQL server compatible with any GraphQL client and it's an easy way to build a production-ready, self-documenting GraphQL API that can use data from any source. Apollo Server can be used as a stand-alone GraphQL server, a plugin to your application's Node.js middleware, or as a gateway for a federated data graph. Apollo GraphQL Server offers:
- **easy setup** - client-side can start fetching data instantly,
- **incremental adoption** - elastic approach to adding new features, you can add them easily later on when you decide they're needed,
- **universality** - compatibility with any data source, multiple 
 build tools and GraphQL clients,
- **production-ready** - tested across various enterprise-grade projects.
  
![Apollo GraphQL Server](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/z0f16k6o28pn0cubc7q5.png)

##### Source: [apollographql.com](https://github.com/apollographql/apollo-server)


## Hot Chocolate

[Hot Chocolate](https://hotchocolate.io/) is a GraphQL server you can use to create GraphQL endpoints,  merge schemas, etc. Hot Chocolate is a part of a .NET based [ChilliCream GraphQL Platform](https://github.com/ChilliCream/hotchocolate) that can help you build a GraphQL layer over your existing and new infrastructure. It provides pre-built templates that let you start in seconds, supporting both ASP.Net Core as well as ASP.Net Framework out of the box.

![Hot Chocolate is a part of ChilliCream GraphQL Platform](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/xmenk0v5l8r0we2yf1xw.png)

##### Source: [github.com/ChilliCream/hotchocolate](https://github.com/ChilliCream/hotchocolate)

## Hasura GraphQL Engine

[Hasura GraphQL Engine](https://github.com/hasura/graphql-engine) is a GraphQL server that gives you realtime GraphQL APIs over Postgres, making easy building your new Postgress-backed GraphQL app or adding a GraphQL layer for your existing Postgres bases app.  Hasura GraphQL Engine offers built-in filtering, pagination, merging remote schemas along with many other useful features. All that keeping high-performance & footprint at the lowest possible rate.

![Hasura GraphQL Engine](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/1bm14tseu8q31rs12r5o.png)

##### Source: [github.com/hasura](https://github.com/hasura/graphql-engine)


## API PLATFORM
[API Platform](https://github.com/api-platform/api-platform) is a set of tools that combined build a modern framework for building REST and GraphQL APIs including GraphQL Server. The server solution is located in the API Platform Core Library which is built on top of Symfony 4 (PHP) microframework and the Doctrine ORM. API Platform Core Library is a highly flexible solution allowing you to build fully-featured GraphQL API in minutes.

![API PLATFORM](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/kpug82o1n6hawoq6dxl0.png)

##### Source: [api-platform.com](https://api-platform.com/)

## Parse Server GraphQL API 

In addition to the traditional REST API, Parse Server automatically generates a GraphQL API basing on a given schema. [Parse Server GraphQL API](https://docs.parseplatform.org/graphql/guide/) follows Relay specification along with the latest industry standards which makes it a perfect choice for modern projects requiring the highest-scalability.

![Parse Server GraphQL API ](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/rnkb3idw8j3vl0c06pki.png)

##### Source: [docs.parseplatform.org/graphql/guide](https://docs.parseplatform.org/graphql/guide/)

That’s it for the first look at GraphQL servers. So if I missed your favorite one, just mention it in the comments and stay tuned for the next parts!

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