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Comparison guide

Graphql-request vs Urql

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

Quick Verdict

Smallest Bundle

Urql

2.1 KB gzipped

Most Popular

Graphql-request

12.2M weekly downloads

Best Maintained

Urql

80/100 maintenance score

Highest Quality

Graphql-request

50/100 quality score

Overall Pick

Graphql-request

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

  1. graphql-request

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

    12.2M weekly downloads · 2.8 KB gzip · Health 67/100

    0
  2. urql

    A highly customizable and versatile GraphQL client for React

    1.4M weekly downloads · 2.1 KB gzip · Health 79/100

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Choosing between Graphql-request and Urql? 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 12.2M weekly downloads — roughly 8.5x more. Urql has 1.4M weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.

Bundle Size

Urql has the smallest gzipped bundle at 2.1 KB. Graphql-request comes in at 2.8 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Urql has an overall health score of 79/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, security, popularity scores. Graphql-request has an overall health score of 67/100 (good), 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 Graphql-request if you value massive community and ecosystem, minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record. Choose Urql if you value large community support, minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Graphql-request and Urql are solid choices for JavaScript development. Urql has the edge in overall health score (79/100), 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 graphql-request better than urql?
It depends on your needs. Graphql-request has a health score of 67/100 while Urql scores 79/100. Graphql-request has more recorded weekly downloads (12.2M). Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, graphql-request or urql?
Urql has the smaller gzipped bundle at 2.1 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use graphql-request vs urql?
Graphql-request has more recorded weekly downloads (12.2M). Download counts reflect package installations, not unique developers.
Which is better maintained, graphql-request or urql?
Urql has a maintenance score of 80/100. Graphql-request scores 40/100 and Urql scores 80/100 on maintenance.

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