# What is GraphQL and how is it different from REST?

What are the benefits of GraphQL? Who is using the technology?

##### Post Metadata
- Posted at: almost 7 years ago
- Net upvotes: 1


## Comments
### Comment 1

GraphQL is a data query language and runtime designed and used at Facebook to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps since 2012. It got open-sourced in 2015. It is the successor of REST. It is used by companies like Microsoft, Paypal, Shopify, Shure.

Whereas REST typically requires multiple round-trips for even simple requests and the content is distributed across dozens of API endpoints, GraphQL needs only one round-trip for even complex requests and projects have one single endpoint to version, secure and maintain. Further downsides of REST: content structure change requests increase cross-department effort; frequent delivery of unnecessary data; weakly typed; requires manual API documentation; content structure change requests increase cross-department effort.

Find out more on our GraphQL landing page: https://graphcms.com/concepts/graphql/

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: almost 7 years ago
- Author title: Co-Founder and CEO at GraphCMS




## Related Product
[Hygraph](https://www.g2.com/products/hygraph/reviews)

## Related Category
[Headless CMS](https://www.g2.com/categories/headless-cms)

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