Head-to-Head: Apollo Angular vs urql Analysis

apollo-angular

v7.2.0(25 days ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 1Monthly npm downloads

Apollo Angular is a powerful integration of Apollo Client with Angular, enabling developers to easily manage GraphQL data in Angular applications. It provides a seamless way to fetch and manage data from a GraphQL server, with features like caching, optimistic UI updates, and real-time data subscriptions. Apollo Angular simplifies the process of integrating GraphQL into Angular projects, offering a robust and efficient solution for handling complex data requirements.

Alternatives:
urql+
relay+
graphql-request+
react-query+
swr+
vue-apollo+
apollo-client+
graphql-hooks+
react-apollo+
ngrx-data+

Tags: angulargraphqlclientdata-managementintegration

urql

v4.1.0(5 months ago)

This package is actively maintained.Types definitions are bundled with the npm packageNumber of direct dependencies: 2Monthly npm downloads

Urql is a lightweight and versatile GraphQL client for React applications. It offers a simple and intuitive API for fetching and managing GraphQL data, with built-in caching and support for server-side rendering. Urql focuses on performance and efficiency, providing features like automatic caching, subscription support, and query deduplication.

Alternatives:
apollo-client+
relay+
graphql-request+
react-query+
swr+
graphql-hooks+
apollo-angular+
vue-apollo+
aws-amplify+
react-apollo+

Tags: graphqlclientreactcachingperformance

Fight!

Popularity

Both Apollo Angular and Urql are widely used GraphQL client libraries in the Angular ecosystem. Apollo Angular has been around longer and has a larger community following, making it more popular overall. However, Urql has gained popularity for its focus on minimalism and performance.

Features

Both libraries provide similar core features for working with GraphQL, such as query and mutation capabilities, caching, and local state management. Apollo Angular, being a more mature library, has a broader feature set, including advanced caching strategies, out-of-the-box support for Apollo Federation, and robust tooling. Urql, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and performance, minimizing package size and providing a lightweight alternative.

Developer Experience

Apollo Angular offers a comprehensive set of tools, including a robust developer tools extension (Apollo DevTools), TypeScript support, and strong integration with Angular ecosystem. It has good documentation and a large community, making it easier for developers to find help and resources. Urql also provides TypeScript support and a good developer experience, with a straightforward API and smaller learning curve. However, its documentation and community support are not as extensive as Apollo Angular.

Performance

Urql's main focus is on performance and efficiency. It is designed to have a small footprint, optimized network requests, and efficient cache utilization. Urql also supports automatic batching and intelligent data fetching strategies to minimize unnecessary network traffic. Apollo Angular provides a more feature-rich and flexible solution but may have a slightly higher overhead due to its wider range of functionality.

Ecosystem and Compatibility

Apollo Angular benefits from being part of the larger Apollo GraphQL ecosystem, including support for platforms such as React and Node.js. It also has a strong integration with Angular, making it a good fit for Angular projects. Urql, on the other hand, is primarily focused on being a GraphQL client for React but can also be used with Angular or other frameworks. Both libraries are compatible with GraphQL servers implementing the GraphQL specification.