Hasura vs ShapedQL: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Hasura and ShapedQL comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Hasura wins this matchup. Our overall GraphQL Tools pick is FaunaDB. Our free GraphQL Tools pick is GraphQL Code Generator. Pick ShapedQL if you need data & databases.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Hasura
Instant GraphQL APIs on your databases
Best for you if:
- • You want instant GraphQL APIs
- • You want real-time subscriptions
ShapedQL
The real-time retrieval engine for search, feeds, and AI agents, powered by a SQL interface.
Best for you if:
- • You want familiar SQL syntax reduces learning curve for developers
- • You want unifies search and recommendation retrieval into a single query layer
| At a Glance | Hasura | ShapedQL |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | API Tools | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.7/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Hasura or ShapedQL?
Choose Hasura if
Instant GraphQL APIs on your databases
- You want instant GraphQL APIs
- You want real-time subscriptions
- Your work is API tools-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
Choose ShapedQL if
The real-time retrieval engine for search, feeds, and AI agents, powered by a SQL interface.
- You want familiar SQL syntax reduces learning curve for developers
- You want unifies search and recommendation retrieval into a single query layer
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not API tools-shaped
| Feature | Hasura | ShapedQL |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 26 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | API ToolsGraphQL Tools | Data & DatabasesDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Hasura
Instant GraphQL APIs on your databases
Hasura's DDN Free tier is generous, offering unlimited models and API requests, making it highly accessible for individual developers.
Strengths
- +Instant GraphQL APIs
- +Real-time subscriptions
- +Authorization built-in
- +Good performance
- +Open source core
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -PostgreSQL focused
- -Cloud expensive
- -Complex for simple needs
- -Vendor lock-in risk
Key features
ShapedQL
The real-time retrieval engine for search, feeds, and AI agents, powered by a SQL interface.
The pricing for ShapedQL is currently incomplete, making a full assessment difficult.
Watch out
Enterprise tier likely has high minimums
Strengths
- +Familiar SQL syntax reduces learning curve for developers
- +Unifies search and recommendation retrieval into a single query layer
- +Real-time performance optimized for production workloads
- +Purpose-built for AI agent and recommendation system use cases
Weaknesses
- -Tightly coupled with Shaped platform, not a standalone tool
- -New query language with a small community and limited third-party resources
- -May be overkill for simple search implementations
Key features
Pricing: Hasura vs ShapedQL
| Plan | Hasura | ShapedQL |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free DDN Free | Free Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | $5 month per active model DDN Base | Enterprise |
| Tier 3 | $30 month per active model DDN Advanced | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Hasura pricing and ShapedQL pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Hasura
Want the highest-rated option?
Hasura is rated 4.7/5. ShapedQL has no ratings yet.
Go with: Hasura
Value user reviews?
Hasura: 26 reviews (4.7/5). ShapedQL: no ratings yet.
Go with: Hasura
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Hasura is a API tools tool. ShapedQL is in data & databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Hasura is rated 4.7/5; ShapedQL has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Hasura
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
ShapedQL
- Better fit for data & databases
The Bottom Line
Hasura wins this matchup. Our overall GraphQL Tools pick is FaunaDB. Our free GraphQL Tools pick is GraphQL Code Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hasura or ShapedQL better?
Hasura is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Hasura and ShapedQL used for?
Hasura: Instant GraphQL APIs on your databases. ShapedQL: The real-time retrieval engine for search, feeds, and AI agents, powered by a SQL interface..
What does Hasura cost vs ShapedQL?
Hasura is freemium (free tier + paid plans). ShapedQL is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.