apollo-client
A simple yet functional GraphQL client.
535.6K weekly downloads · 15.4 KB gzip · Health 59/100
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Comparison guide
Apollo-client vs Relay-runtime
Side-by-side NPM package comparison
Quick Verdict
Smallest Bundle
Apollo-client
15.4 KB gzipped
Most Popular
Relay-runtime
5.7M weekly downloads
Best Maintained
Relay-runtime
100/100 maintenance score
Highest Quality
Apollo-client
50/100 quality score
Overall Pick
Relay-runtime
Best all-around based on popularity, size, maintenance & quality
relay-runtime
A core runtime for building GraphQL-driven applications.
5.7M weekly downloads · 49.2 KB gzip · Health 85/100
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Choosing between Apollo-client and Relay-runtime? 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
Relay-runtime leads with 5.7M weekly downloads — roughly 10.7x more. Apollo-client has 535.6K weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.
Bundle Size
Apollo-client has the smallest gzipped bundle at 15.4 KB. Relay-runtime comes in at 49.2 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.
Health Score Comparison
Relay-runtime has an overall health score of 85/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, security, popularity scores. Apollo-client has an overall health score of 59/100 (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 Relay-runtime if you value large community support, actively maintained, strong security track record.
Our Verdict
Both Apollo-client and Relay-runtime are solid choices for JavaScript development. Relay-runtime has the edge in overall health score (85/100), 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 relay-runtime?
- It depends on your needs. Apollo-client has a health score of 59/100 while Relay-runtime scores 85/100. Relay-runtime has more recorded weekly downloads (5.7M). 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 relay-runtime?
- Apollo-client has the smaller gzipped bundle at 15.4 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 relay-runtime?
- Relay-runtime has more recorded weekly downloads (5.7M). Download counts reflect package installations, not unique developers.
- Which is better maintained, apollo-client or relay-runtime?
- Relay-runtime has a maintenance score of 100/100. Apollo-client scores 20/100 and Relay-runtime scores 100/100 on maintenance.
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