Netflix DGS
Netflix DGS is a free, open-source GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot, intended to help build GraphQL services in Java or Kotlin.
What Netflix DGS is
Netflix DGS is a free, open-source GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot, intended to help build GraphQL services in Java or Kotlin. Its annotation-based programming model supports schema-first development: projects keep schema files in `src/main/resources/schema`, and a Gradle plugin can generate Java types from them. Teams can build with Gradle or Maven and use the included framework for lightweight GraphQL query unit tests. Data loaders batch requests to address the N+1 problem, and the framework supports GraphQL Federation, file uploads, error handling, and subscriptions over WebSockets and SSE. It integrates with Spring Security, and it can also work with Spring for GraphQL, though that integration lacks SSE subscriptions and some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring for GraphQL data loaders. A browser-based GraphiQL editor and an IntelliJ plugin are also available. Current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17; DGS 5.x support for Spring Boot 2 and JDK 8 is no longer maintained. The project is self-hosted and licensed under Apache-2.0.
Good
- Free and licensed under Apache-2.0.
- Supports Java and Kotlin with Gradle or Maven.
- Includes query unit testing and schema code generation.
- Supports Federation and WebSocket or SSE subscriptions.
- Provides a browser-based GraphiQL editor.
Watch out
- Current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17.
- Spring for GraphQL integration lacks SSE subscriptions.
- Some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring GraphQL loaders.
Who it suits
DGS is suited to Java or Kotlin teams building GraphQL services with Spring Boot, schema-first workflows, or federation. It requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17 under the current documentation.
Verdict
DGS offers a broad set of server-side GraphQL tools for Spring Boot projects, including testing, code generation, and federation. Check the runtime requirements and Spring for GraphQL integration limits before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Netflix DGS's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix DGS Framework | Free | Open source GraphQL framework for Java and Spring Boot |
The facts
Each one read from Netflix DGS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional features
- The framework includes GraphQL subscriptions over WebSockets and SSE, file uploads, error handling, and extension points.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Build tools
- Projects can use Gradle or Maven, with Java or Kotlin.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Code generation
- Its Gradle code generation plugin generates Java types from a GraphQL schema.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility status
- The repository says DGS 11+ with Spring Boot 4 is actively maintained, while DGS 10.x with Spring Boot 3 receives most feature backports until the second half of 2026.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data loaders
- Data loaders batch data requests to help solve the GraphQL N+1 problem.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Federation
- DGS supports GraphQL Federation and can reference and extend federated types.checked 9 Oct 2026
- GraphiQL
- The framework provides a GraphiQL query editor that can be opened in a browser while the service is running.checked 9 Oct 2026
- IDE plugin
- An IntelliJ plugin provides navigation between schema files and code, hints, and quick fixes.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Language and build tools
- The getting-started guide supports Java or Kotlin and Gradle or Maven.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository lists the Apache-2.0 license.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- Netflix primarily maintains the framework, with an active community around it.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Programming model
- DGS provides an annotation-based programming model for Java and Kotlin.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DGS is a GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot that makes it easier to create GraphQL services.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17; DGS 5.x, which supported Spring Boot 2 and JDK 8, is no longer maintained.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Schema development
- DGS is designed for schema-first development and loads schema files from the project's src/main/resources/schema folder.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security integration
- DGS integrates with Spring Security, allowing @Secured to be applied to data fetchers after Spring Security is configured.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Spring GraphQL integration limitation
- The integration currently lacks support for SSE-based subscriptions and some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring for GraphQL data loaders.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Spring integration
- DGS integrates with Spring for GraphQL, allowing users to use Spring for GraphQL features and web transports with DGS.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Testing
- DGS includes a test framework for running GraphQL queries in lightweight unit tests.checked 9 Oct 2026
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