- Home
- GraphQL Tools
- GraphQL Ruby
GraphQL Ruby
What it is
GraphQL Ruby is a Ruby gem for adding a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications. It implements the GraphQL Server Specification and uses a self-documenting, strongly typed schema to describe an application’s API. The library serves queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries. Configurable query-depth and complexity validation can reject deeply nested or overly complex requests. Authorization tools support schema visibility and checks on application objects during execution, while authentication is generally handled by the application controller. GraphQL::Dataloader batches external data access and caches results per query; AsyncDataloader supports parallel I/O. Documentation covers Relay, Apollo Client, GraphQL.js Client, GraphiQL, urql, custom JavaScript, and monitoring integrations. The MIT-licensed gem costs nothing. GraphQL::Pro costs $1,100 a year, and GraphQL::Enterprise costs $2,400 a year under commercial licenses.
For and against
For
- Strongly typed self-documenting schemas
- Queries, mutations, and subscriptions
- Query depth and complexity checks
- Batching and cached data loading
- Ruby and Rails support
Against
- Commercial tiers use separate licenses
- Authentication generally stays in the application
- Self-hosted deployment required
- Pro and Enterprise are paid
The verdict
GraphQL Ruby provides a broad GraphQL server toolkit for Ruby applications, with execution controls, authorization support, and data-loading utilities. Free MIT-licensed functionality is available, while commercial tiers add persisted queries, support, and additional server features.
Who it suits
It suits Ruby and Rails developers building self-hosted GraphQL APIs. Teams needing commercial features can choose Pro or Enterprise subscriptions.
Plans and prices
GraphQL Ruby gem
Ruby gem implementing the GraphQL server specification
Read 4 Oct 2026 · graphql-ruby.org
GraphQL::Pro
Commercial license · Includes persisted queries, authorization integrations, Rack subscriptions, advanced cursors and IDs, and prioritized support
Read 4 Oct 2026 · graphql.pro
GraphQL::Enterprise
Commercial license · Includes Pro · Rate limiting, server-side caching, and schema versioning
Read 4 Oct 2026 · graphql.pro
On the record
- Authorization
- Its authorization framework supports schema visibility and checks application objects during query execution; authentication is generally handled by the application controller.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Client integrations
- The docs describe using Relay, Apollo Client, GraphQL.js Client, GraphiQL, urql, and custom JavaScript with GraphQL-Ruby.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data loading
- GraphQL::Dataloader batches external data access, caches results per query, and AsyncDataloader supports parallel I/O.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Execution
- The library supports serving queries, mutations, subscriptions, streaming responses, and multiplexed queries.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The open-source gem is installed from RubyGems by adding graphql to an application's Gemfile and running bundle install.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- RubyGems lists the graphql gem license as MIT, while GraphQL::Pro and GraphQL::Enterprise use special commercial licenses.rubygems.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring integrations
- Tracing documentation lists integrations including ActiveSupport Notifications, AppSignal, Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus, Sentry, Scout APM, and StatsD.graphql-ruby.org · read 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.graphql-ruby.org · read 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.graphql.pro · read 4 Oct 2026
- Protection
- GraphQL-Ruby provides configurable query depth and complexity validations to help reject deeply nested or complex queries.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The graphql gem implements the GraphQL Server Specification in Ruby and adds a GraphQL API to Ruby or Rails applications.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Schema
- A GraphQL schema describes an application's API with a self-documenting, strongly typed type system.graphql-ruby.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Supported application styles
- The Pro subscriptions feature works with Rails, Sinatra, Hanami, or another Rack-based framework and uses Redis with Pusher or Ably.graphql.pro · read 4 Oct 2026
