Skip to main content

Apollo-client vs Graphql-request

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

Quick Verdict

Smallest Bundle

Graphql-request

2.8 KB gzipped

Most Popular

Graphql-request

7.3M weekly downloads

Best Maintained

Graphql-request

60/100 maintenance score

Highest Quality

Apollo-client

50/100 quality score

Overall Pick

Graphql-request

Best all-around based on popularity, size, maintenance & quality

Version 2.6.10

0
57
Fair

A simple yet functional GraphQL client.

Weekly Downloads
443.8K
11%
Bundle (gzip)
15.4 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
20
Popularity
80
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70
graphql-request icon

graphql-request

Very Popular

Version 7.4.0

0
73
Good

Minimal GraphQL client supporting Node and browsers for scripts or simple apps.

Weekly Downloads
7.3M
11%
Bundle (gzip)
2.8 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
60
Popularity
100
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

Choosing between Apollo-client and Graphql-request? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.

Downloads & Popularity

Graphql-request leads with 7.3M weekly downloads — roughly 16.5x more. Apollo-client has 443.8K weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.

Bundle Size

Graphql-request has the smallest gzipped bundle at 2.8 KB. Apollo-client comes in at 15.4 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Graphql-request has an overall health score of 73/100 (good), with strong security, popularity scores. Apollo-client has an overall health score of 57/100 (moderate), with strong security, popularity scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.

When to Choose Each

Choose Apollo-client if you value strong security track record. Choose Graphql-request if you value large community support, minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Apollo-client and Graphql-request are solid choices for JavaScript development. Graphql-request has the edge in overall health score (73/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is apollo-client better than graphql-request?
It depends on your needs. Apollo-client has a health score of 57/100 while Graphql-request scores 73/100. Graphql-request has more weekly downloads (7.3M), suggesting broader adoption. Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, apollo-client or graphql-request?
Graphql-request has the smaller gzipped bundle at 2.8 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use apollo-client vs graphql-request?
Based on npm download statistics, Apollo-client has approximately 443.8K weekly downloads and Graphql-request has approximately 7.3M weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
Which is better maintained, apollo-client or graphql-request?
Graphql-request currently has the higher overall health score at 73/100. Apollo-client has a maintenance score of 20/100 and Graphql-request scores 60/100 on maintenance.

Related Comparisons

The 2026 JavaScript Stack Cheatsheet

One PDF: the best package for every category (ORMs, bundlers, auth, testing, state management). Used by 500+ devs. Free, updated monthly.