tRPC vs GraphQL: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between tRPC and GraphQL 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
tRPC
End-to-end typesafe APIs
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Provides end-to-end typesafe APIs for TypeScript applications.
- • Offers automatic type safety and autocompletion without code generation.
GraphQL
A query language for your API, enabling precise data fetching and efficient development.
Best for you if:
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • A query language for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need.
- • Enables efficient data fetching, reduces network requests, and supports evolving APIs without versioning.
| At a Glance |  tRPC |  GraphQL |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | API Tools |
Rating | 86/100 | 76/100 |
| Feature | tRPC | GraphQL |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 76 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsAPI Tools | API ToolsGraphQL Tools |
How tRPC and GraphQL Compare
tRPC
End-to-end typesafe APIs
Free · 86/100 score
GraphQL
A query language for your API, enabling precise data fetching and efficient development.
Free · 76/100 score
tRPC is a ide & code editors tool. GraphQL is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: tRPC
Want the highest-rated option?
tRPC: 86/100. GraphQL: 76/100.
Go with: tRPC
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: tRPC
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
tRPC is a ide & code editors tool. GraphQL is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
tRPC scores higher: 86/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
tRPC
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 76
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
GraphQL
- Better fit for api tools
The Bottom Line
tRPC (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tRPC or GraphQL better?
tRPC scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are tRPC and GraphQL used for?
tRPC: End-to-end typesafe APIs. GraphQL: A query language for your API, enabling precise data fetching and efficient development..
What does tRPC cost vs GraphQL?
tRPC is completely free. GraphQL is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.