REST vs GraphQL: Choosing Your API Style

How should your frontend talk to your backend?

REST (Representational State Transfer)

The standard of the web. Everything is a resource (/users/123).

• Pros: Simple, cachable (HTTP caching), predictable status codes.
• Cons: Overfetching (getting too much data) or Underfetching (needing multiple requests for one screen).

GraphQL

The query language for your API. You ask for exactly what you want.

query {
  user(id: "123") {
    name
    posts {
      title
    }
  }
}

• Pros: Precise data fetching, strongly typed schema, great tooling (GraphiQL).
• Cons: Complex caching, complexity moves to the backend.

Conclusion

Use GraphQL if you have complex data requirements and a mobile app (bandwidth is expensive). Use REST for simple apps or public APIs where caching is vital.