REST vs gRPC vs GraphQL

Choosing the right API framework for your application involves understanding the differences and use cases of REST, GraphQL, and gRPC. REST, which uses HTTP actions as verbs and typically JSON as a data format, is the most widely used framework for front-end to back-end communication, though its loosely defined structure can lead to disorganized implementations. GraphQL offers a more efficient querying language that can reduce the number of HTTP calls needed for data retrieval, making it appealing to some large companies despite its lower overall popularity compared to REST. gRPC, a newer entrant developed by Google, excels in speed and compact data transmission using the binary Protobuf format, making it popular for internal micro-services; however, its limited front-end support and understanding hinder its use for public APIs. Each framework has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice may depend on specific project needs, with Unified.to's APIs being compatible with all three.