Altair GraphQL Client

Overview

Altair GraphQL Client is an IDE for running and debugging GraphQL queries, mutations, and subscriptions. It brings request tools together with schema browsing, reusable environment variables, scripts, and plugins. Altair GraphQL Cloud adds shared query management for teams. GraphQL support, WebSocket support, API documentation, and team workspaces are listed among its capabilities.

It is focused on GraphQL rather than general API work. Readers comparing tools can browse GraphQL Tools or API clients.

Key features

Build and organize requests

The client can format queries, upload files using the multipart specification, and export query collections. Environment variables can be reused across endpoints, headers, and queries, reducing the need to repeat values when working with different requests.

Explore schemas and automate request steps

A documentation explorer lets users browse GraphQL schema types, queries, mutations, and subscriptions. Pre-request and post-request scripts provide points to run logic around a request, while the plugin system offers a way to extend Altair.

Share work and connect integrations

Altair GraphQL Cloud provides centralized query management, collections, query versioning, and shareable query URLs. Official integration packages include Express and Koa middleware, a static build, and a Gatsby plugin.

Pricing

Altair uses a freemium model with a free plan and paid plans. Pro is listed at $7.99 a month, billed at $ 7.99 per user/month. It includes unlimited team members, teams, queries, and collections, plus query history.

The Basic plan allows up to 2 team members and up to 20 queries, with unlimited collections and query history up to 10 revisions; its price is not listed. Enterprise has custom pricing and includes unlimited team members, teams, queries, and collections, with full control. Self hosted has no listed price and includes those unlimited allowances, query history, and full control.

Platforms

Altair is available as a web app and desktop software, with platform listings for extension, Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web, and Windows. The maker describes the web app as intended for quick or one-time use and does not recommend it for full development because it has limitations.

Who it's for

Altair is suited to people who need a dedicated place to work with GraphQL operations, inspect schemas, and reuse request settings. Its Cloud features may also suit teams that want centralized queries, collections, version history, and shareable URLs. The available plan details distinguish individual or smaller use from team and self-hosted arrangements, though not all plan prices are published.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Query, mutation, and subscription workflows sit alongside schema documentation, formatting, multipart file uploads, and environment variables.
• Pros: Scripts and plugins support extension, while Cloud adds query versioning and sharing.
• Cons: The web app is not recommended for full development.
• Cons: Basic, Enterprise, and Self hosted prices are not listed, and the terms say the maker is not obligated to maintain or support services or provide updates.

There are also operational cautions. Documentation warns that GraphQL introspection can expose an API schema and suggests considering disabling it in production. Content Security Policy support is marked beta, with the maker recommending that configurations be tested before production use. The privacy notice says Altair does not process sensitive personal information and describes organizational and technical procedures to protect personal information.

Alternatives

For other GraphQL-related products, consider Apollo Studio, Apollo Client, Relay, GraphQL Hive, or WunderGraph Cosmo. Other options include gqlgen, Strawberry GraphQL, and PostGraphile.

Verdict

Altair GraphQL Client combines core GraphQL request work with schema exploration and reusable environments, then extends the picture with scripts, plugins, integrations, and optional cloud collaboration. Its free plan and feature-rich Pro tier give users a clear starting point, but several other plan prices are undisclosed. The web app's stated limitations, beta CSP support, introspection considerations, and limited support commitment are worth weighing before choosing it for production or team workflows.