Skip to main content

Comparison guide

@tanstack/react-query vs Apollo-client

Side-by-side NPM package comparison

Quick Verdict

@tanstack/react-query leads across all categories in this comparison. Check the detailed metrics below to see how each package performs for your specific needs.

  1. @tanstack/react-query

    Hooks for managing, caching and syncing asynchronous and remote data in React

    82.8M weekly downloads · 13.4 KB gzip · Health 85/100

    0
  2. apollo-client

    A simple yet functional GraphQL client.

    535.6K weekly downloads · 15.4 KB gzip · Health 59/100

    0

Choosing between @tanstack/react-query and Apollo-client? 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

@tanstack/react-query leads with 82.8M weekly downloads — roughly 154.5x 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

@tanstack/react-query has the smallest gzipped bundle at 13.4 KB. Apollo-client comes in at 15.4 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.

Health Score Comparison

@tanstack/react-query 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 @tanstack/react-query if you value massive community and ecosystem, actively maintained, strong security track record. Choose Apollo-client if you value strong security track record.

Our Verdict

Both @tanstack/react-query and Apollo-client are solid choices for JavaScript development. @tanstack/react-query 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 @tanstack/react-query better than apollo-client?
It depends on your needs. @tanstack/react-query has a health score of 85/100 while Apollo-client scores 59/100. @tanstack/react-query has more recorded weekly downloads (82.8M). Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
Which has a smaller bundle size, @tanstack/react-query or apollo-client?
@tanstack/react-query has the smaller gzipped bundle at 13.4 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
How many developers use @tanstack/react-query vs apollo-client?
@tanstack/react-query has more recorded weekly downloads (82.8M). Download counts reflect package installations, not unique developers.
Which is better maintained, @tanstack/react-query or apollo-client?
@tanstack/react-query has a maintenance score of 100/100. @tanstack/react-query scores 100/100 and Apollo-client scores 20/100 on maintenance.

Related Comparisons

The 2026 JavaScript Stack Cheatsheet

One PDF: the best package for every category (ORMs, bundlers, auth, testing, state management). Used by 500+ devs. Free, updated monthly.