Comparing Grafbase vs Apollo GraphQL
for enterprise GraphQL Federation

Comparing Grafbase vs Apollo GraphQL for enterprise GraphQL Federation

Modern enterprises demand scalable, high-performance, and secure solutions to manage their expansive, complex API ecosystems. Grafbase and Apollo GraphQL are two prominent players in GraphQL Federation, but they cater to fundamentally different needs.

Grafbase has been engineered to meet the demands of enterprises–whether Fortune 500 companies, financial services institutions, or government entities–providing unmatched performance, enterprise-grade security, and offers the ability self-host the whole platform. Meanwhile, Apollo GraphQL, while a strong contender, requires significant effort to customize and manage large-scale environments.

This guide compares Grafbase and Apollo GraphQL across critical dimensions, helping you choose the right platform to power your API infrastructure.

Feature comparison at a glance

Feature	Grafbase	Apollo GraphQL
Self-hosting	The whole Grafbase platform can be self-hosted in your own infrastructure for maximum control	GraphOS is not possible to self-host in your own infrastructure
Performance	Designed for high performance in Rust, with up to 40% faster response times	Variable latency with large scale traffic
Security	Best in class security features like Message Signatures, Hooks and @authorized directive to secure your graph	Field authorization limited to @policy directive
Customization	WebAssembly Hooks enables maximum flexibility without additional infrastructure	Plugins require additional infrastructure and setup
Licensing	The Grafbase Gateway is open-source without enterprise gating features	The Apollo Router is Elastic 2.0 licensed with enterprise gating features

Grafbase is the leading GraphQL Federation platform for enterprises seeking high-performance, scalable, and secure API management. With flexible deployment options, including self-hosted and air-gapped environments, Grafbase meets stringent security and governance requirements while simplifying API infrastructures. Here's what sets Grafbase apart:

Unmatched performance

Powered by Rust, Grafbase delivers industry-leading query speeds— up to 40% faster than alternatives. This ensures low-latency responses, even at enterprise scale, enabling faster applications and reduced operational costs.

Security and compliance

Grafbase supports self-hosting the whole platform, providing enterprises full control over their GraphQL infrastructure.

Customization

Teams can rapidly customize the Grafbase Gateway behavior without the need for complex middleware using WebAssembly Hooks.

Seamless collaboration and governance

Grafbase is designed for large engineering teams, enabling collaboration while maintaining strict governance protocols essential for enterprise compliance.

Conclusion

Both Grafbase and Apollo GraphQL are powerful federation platforms, but they are designed for different priorities. Grafbase stands out for enterprises that demand performance, security, scalability, and a developer-first experience. Apollo GraphQL, while flexible, requires additional expertise and infrastructure management, which can slow down implementation for complex use cases.

Transform your API management with Grafbase, the enterprise-grade GraphQL Federation platform. Contact our team of experts today to learn more about how Grafbase can help your organization.