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October 2, 2025Open Access

Performance evaluation of REST and GraphQL API aproaches in data retrieval scenarios using NestJS

KSKacper StępieńLublin University of Technology MSMaria Skublewska‐PaszkowskaLublin University of Technology

Key Points

REST shows better performance for simple queries from a single table, especially under high-load conditions.
GraphQL outperforms REST in complex queries across multiple related tables, demonstrating superior efficiency in data retrieval.
Partial field selection in GraphQL leads to significantly smaller responses, with reductions up to 94% compared to REST.
Both API approaches have strengths depending on the complexity of the queries and the structure of the data involved.

Abstract

The main aim of the study is to compare the performance of two API approaches, REST and GraphQL, in the context of data retrieval. Two applications with identical functionality have been developed in NestJS using a PostgreSQL database. Performance tests have been carried out using Grafana k6, simulating loads from 1,000 to 24,000 users. REST achieves better response times and throughput in simple queries from a single table. GraphQL shows better performance in scenarios involving complex queries from four related tables. In scenarios involving partial field selection, GraphQL returns significantly smaller responses – up to 94% smaller than REST. The results indicate that REST is more efficient in simple and high-load scenarios, while GraphQL performs better in complex data structures.

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