Graphql-request vs Urql

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

graphql-request

Very Popular

Version 7.4.0

79
Good

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

Weekly Downloads
7.2M
32%
Bundle (gzip)
123.0 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
80
Popularity
100
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

urql

Popular

Version 5.0.1

77
Good

A highly customizable and versatile GraphQL client for React

Weekly Downloads
662.7K
45%
Bundle (gzip)
1.9 KB
Updated
Vulns
0

Health Score Breakdown

Maintenance
80
Popularity
90
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70

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 7.2M weekly downloads — roughly 10.9x more. Urql has 662.7K 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 1.9 KB. Graphql-request comes in at 123.0 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

Graphql-request has an overall health score of 79/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, security, popularity scores. Urql has an overall health score of 77/100 (very good), with strong maintenance, 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 large community support, strong security track record. Choose Urql if you value minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both Graphql-request and Urql are solid choices for JavaScript development. Graphql-request 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 79/100 while Urql scores 77/100. Graphql-request has more weekly downloads (7.2M), suggesting broader adoption. 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 1.9 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?
Based on npm download statistics, Graphql-request has approximately 7.2M weekly downloads and Urql has approximately 662.7K weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
Which is better maintained, graphql-request or urql?
Graphql-request currently has the higher overall health score at 79/100. Graphql-request has a maintenance score of 80/100 and Urql scores 80/100 on maintenance.

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