Hasura creates GraphQL APIs from a database in just a few minutes, helping organizations build applications fast and at scale. You can connect it to database platforms such as PostgreSQL, and it'll automatically provide useful features such as data access controls, security rules, live updates, etc. Database teams use Hasura for creating boilerplate API code so they can concentrate on the core of their applications.
Since Hasura provides instant GraphQL API generation, it reduces development time. It also provides features like role-based access control (RBAC) and row-level security for robust data protection. The platform can handle both complex relationships and aggregate queries. Due to such features, it has become a popular choice for both startups and enterprise organizations.
In this post, we'll discuss the best alternatives to Hasura. We'll also discuss essential tools such as Directus, PostGraphile, and many more. This post will help organizations decide how to pick the best tool for their use case.
Before diving into alternatives, let's examine Neurelo, a leading scalable and extensible data API platform that's revolutionizing how organizations handle their database operations.
Neurelo is a comprehensive data API platform that transforms how organizations interact with their databases. It provides instant REST and GraphQL API generation for multiple database types, including PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and MySQL, while offering unique features that set it apart from traditional API platforms:
The platform's AI-powered features help analyze data patterns and build optimized queries, helping teams identify and resolve potential issues before they impact production. Its built-in observability tools provide detailed metrics on api performance, query patterns, and error rates, making it easier for teams to maintain and optimize their APIs.
Directus combines database utilities with content management functions. It's a popular option for organizations managing both data and content demands. It excels with its visual interface for administering the database and granular user permissions.
Directus is flexible on deployment options, which means that teams can install using Docker or their ordinary server setup. Depending on the flexibility, organizations can choose between cloud hosting or self-hosting.
Directus has more involved set-up steps but is far more powerful in terms of content management tools than Hasura. It supports fewer database types but has better file-handling capabilities for content-driven projects.
PostGraphile quickly turns PostgreSQL databases into GraphQL APIs. It connects directly to PostgreSQL and updates schemas as you type. By default, it supports JWT authentication for security.
PostGraphile has a simple pricing model with a free and open-source tier for the basic version, a $25/month pro tier for additional features, and custom enterprise pricing for large teams.
When compared with Hasura, Hasura has a fast set-up time, but PostGraphile gets it up and running faster for PostgreSQL. PostGraphile requires fewer server resources, meaning it runs faster for some projects but comes with fewer built-in tools than Hasura.
Wundergraph platform stands out with its API ecosystem that lets organizations combine different data sources into one endpoint. Security features come built-in, and teams can work with multiple API types, from REST to GraphQL, in one place.
Wundergraph offers a free self-hosted version for smaller teams. The team plan costs $499 monthly with added features and support. Enterprise customers get custom pricing based on their specific needs and scale requirements.
Unlike Hasura's database-first approach, Wundergraph focuses on API integration. It handles more types of APIs but takes longer to set up. While Hasura excels at database operations, Wundergraph works better when working with multiple API types.
Firebase Data Connect platform provides instant, real-time updates across all connected devices. The system scales automatically as the organization’s user base grows, and it's completely serverless. Thus, organizations don't need to manage servers.
Firebase uses a pay-as-you-go model where organizations only pay for what they use. It includes a generous free tier for small projects. As the project grows, the price increases based on database operations, storage, and bandwidth usage.
Firebase offers a more straightforward set-up process than Hasura but can cost more as the project scales. It works better for mobile applications and includes more built-in features. However, organizations get less control over the database than Hasura.
Apollo platform includes powerful schema management tools that help track and update API changes. Its performance monitoring shows precisely how the API runs. Client libraries make working with GraphQL easier, and the federation feature lets large teams split work across multiple services.
Apollo starts with a free version for development work. Enterprise customers get custom pricing with advanced features like custom security rules and dedicated support.
Apollo requires more set up than Hasura but provides better tools for bigger and more complex GraphQL projects. It costs more but offers more robust client-side support. While Hasura focuses on database connections, Apollo excels at managing complex GraphQL systems.
AWS AppSync service connects easily with AWS services and supports real-time data updates. It keeps working even when users go offline and includes strong security controls. The platform scales automatically to meet the organization’s needs and handles data syncing across devices.
AppSync charges based on API requests. It includes a free tier with enough requests for testing. After that, organizations need to pay for each query, real-time connection, and data transfer. Larger teams can get enterprise pricing with volume discounts.
AppSync works better if teams already use AWS services. It scales more easily than Hasura but requires an understanding of AWS systems. The pricing model suits projects that grow gradually.
Choosing the right Hasura alternative depends on the needs of the organization. It's important to consider the following factors that should lead to the decision.
Scalability is important for growing organizations, and Neurelo excels in this aspect with its cloud-native architecture and automatic scaling capabilities. While platforms like Apollo and AWS AppSync offer scaling options, Neurelo's architecture is specifically designed to handle increasing workloads efficiently while maintaining performance. Its flexible deployment options allow organizations to choose between fully-managed cloud services or self-hosted solutions based on their scaling needs.
Performance monitoring and optimization are critical for API success. Neurelo stands out with its built-in observability tools that provide comprehensive performance metrics. While tools like Firebase offer real-time capabilities, and Apollo handles complex queries well, Neurelo's AI-powered optimized queries and built-in monitoring provide a more complete solution for performance management. Organizations should consider their specific performance requirements and evaluate how each tool's monitoring capabilities align with their needs.
Budget planning needs careful attention. The free tiers do a great job of enabling organizations to test ideas and run low-traffic or unsupported projects. They can start on a free tier, both with Wundergraph and PostGraphile, which are quite generous. As organizations scale, the pay-per-request of AWS AppSync may be more economical. This categorization means they should think about starting costs and growth costs.
Integration flexibility is essential for modern development workflows. Neurelo provides extensive integration capabilities with popular development tools, databases, and platforms. While AWS AppSync works well within the AWS ecosystem and Apollo integrates nicely with GraphQL, Neurelo offers broader database support including PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and MySQL, along with comprehensive API generation options for both REST and GraphQL. Organizations should evaluate their existing tech stack and future integration needs when selecting a solution.
Organizations should choose a tool that's tailored to their specific needs. For tool-specific scenarios, they can consider the following:
Primary Recommendations:
Specialized Use Cases:
Selecting the best Hasura alternative largely depends on the specific requirements of the organization’s project, as well as available resources. Neurelo emerges as a particularly compelling choice for organizations prioritizing scalability, intelligence, and comprehensive API management. Its combination of AI-powered optimized queries, built-in observability, and extensive integration capabilities positions it well for modern enterprise needs.
While specialized tools may excel in specific niches, Neurelo's broad feature set makes it an excellent default choice for organizations building new data API infrastructure. Its ability to handle multiple database types, combined with intelligent optimized queries and robust monitoring, provides a strong foundation for both current needs and future growth.
It's important to note that organizations need to balance their immediate requirements with future scalability when settling on the correct solution. Take into consideration database compatibilities, whether they require real-time technology, team competencies, and budget availability. Whether an open-source solution is chosen for more control or a commercial option for all-in support, the chosen alternative needs to be suitable not only for present requirements but also for future expansion plans.
This post was written by Ridhima Goyal. Ridhima is a talented and motivated Software Development Engineer II (SDE2) with a strong passion for development and innovation. She excels in creating efficient and effective software solutions, always striving to push the boundaries of what's possible in her field. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, Ridhima consistently seeks out opportunities to enhance her skills and contribute to cutting-edge projects. Her enthusiasm for innovation drives her to explore new methodologies and tools, ensuring she remains at the forefront of software development practices. Ridhima's dedication to her craft and her ability to think outside the box makes her a valuable asset to any development team.
