GraphQL Ruby
GraphQL Ruby is an open-source Ruby gem for adding a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications.
What GraphQL Ruby is
GraphQL Ruby is an open-source Ruby gem for adding a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications. It implements the GraphQL Server Specification, with a strongly typed, self-documenting schema to describe an application's API. It can serve queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries. Configurable depth and complexity checks help reject queries that are too deeply nested or complex. Its authorization framework can control schema visibility and check application objects during query execution; authentication is generally left to the application's controller. GraphQL::Dataloader batches external data access and caches results per query, while AsyncDataloader supports parallel I/O. The gem is free at no cost and is installed through RubyGems. Commercial GraphQL::Pro is $1,100 a year and GraphQL::Enterprise is $2,400 a year; both use commercial licenses. Pro adds persisted queries, authorization integrations, Rack subscriptions, advanced cursors and IDs, and prioritized support. Enterprise includes Pro features plus rate limiting, server-side caching, and schema versioning.
Good
- Free gem implements the GraphQL server specification.
- Supports queries, mutations, subscriptions, and streaming responses.
- Query depth and complexity checks are configurable.
- Dataloader batches and caches external data access.
- Works with Rails and other Rack-based frameworks.
Watch out
- GraphQL::Pro costs $1,100 a year.
- GraphQL::Enterprise costs $2,400 a year.
- Commercial editions use special commercial licenses.
- Authentication is generally handled by the application controller.
Who it suits
It suits Ruby and Rails developers building GraphQL APIs who want query execution, authorization, and data-loading tools. Teams needing persisted queries or Enterprise features can consider the commercial plans.
Verdict
GraphQL Ruby provides a free foundation for GraphQL APIs in Ruby applications, with query controls and data-loading support. The paid Pro and Enterprise editions add capabilities under commercial licenses.
Plans and prices
From GraphQL Ruby's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| GraphQL Ruby gem | Free | Ruby gem implementing the GraphQL server specification |
| GraphQL::Pro | $1,100 a year | Commercial license · Includes persisted queries, authorization integrations, Rack subscriptions, advanced cursors and IDs, and prioritized support · $1100/year |
| GraphQL::Enterprise | $2,400 a year | Commercial license · Includes Pro · Rate limiting, server-side caching, and schema versioning · $2400/year |
The facts
Each one read from GraphQL Ruby's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authorization
- Its authorization framework supports schema visibility and checks application objects during query execution; authentication is generally handled by the application controller.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Client integrations
- The docs describe using Relay, Apollo Client, GraphQL.js Client, GraphiQL, urql, and custom JavaScript with GraphQL-Ruby.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Data loading
- GraphQL::Dataloader batches external data access, caches results per query, and AsyncDataloader supports parallel I/O.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Execution
- The library supports serving queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The open-source gem is installed from RubyGems by adding graphql to an application's Gemfile and running bundle install.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- RubyGems lists the graphql gem license as MIT, while GraphQL::Pro and GraphQL::Enterprise use special commercial licenses.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring integrations
- Tracing documentation lists integrations including ActiveSupport Notifications, AppSignal, Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus, Sentry, Scout APM, and StatsD.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Persisted queries
- The Pro OperationStore maintains normalized persisted queries using Rack and ActiveRecord or Redis storage backends, and can reject arbitrary queries when configured as a whitelist.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Pro support
- GraphQL::Pro customers receive direct access to the gem creator and maintainer, prioritized support, and can report issues or request features by GitHub issue or email.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Protection
- GraphQL-Ruby provides configurable query depth and complexity validations to help reject deeply nested or complex queries.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The graphql gem implements the GraphQL Server Specification in Ruby and adds a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Schema
- A GraphQL schema describes an application's API with a self-documenting, strongly typed type system.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Supported application styles
- The Pro subscriptions feature works with Rails, Sinatra, Hanami, or another Rack-based framework and uses Redis with Pusher or Ably.checked 4 Oct 2026
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- 1
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