Ariadne
ariadnegraphql.org
What it is
Ariadne is an open-source Python library for building GraphQL APIs with a schema-first design. Developers describe an API using GraphQL Schema Definition Language and connect schema fields to application logic with resolver functions. The server supports asynchronous and synchronous query execution and can be served through WSGI or ASGI apps. The project describes interoperability with web frameworks and includes a Django integration example. Ariadne Codegen creates a typed Python client and Pydantic models from a GraphQL schema and operations; generated client results are validated against those models at runtime. An optional SQLAlchemy 2.0 integration supports synchronous sessions in WSGI and ASGI, while AsyncSession is limited to ASGI and has a documented limitation involving sibling root fields. Ariadne implements the GraphQL multipart request specification for uploads. Its default Upload scalar is write-only and supports values passed through variables. Security documentation discusses denial-of-service and credential-leakage risks and gives mitigation guidance. Ariadne is self-hosted and free, and the site lists Linux, web, and API platforms.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Ariadne is a Python library for building GraphQL APIs with a schema-first approach.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Integrations
- The site describes interoperability with web frameworks and shows a Django integration example.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Security
- Ariadne's security documentation says GraphQL APIs can carry risks including denial-of-service attacks and credential leakage, and provides mitigation guidance.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Support
- The site lists a project email address for community contact: [email protected].Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Headquarters
- Wrocław, PolandRead 28 Sep 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Maker
- The site credits Mirumee Software and Mirumee Labs; Mirumee's site gives its address as Wrocław, Poland and says it has championed open-source innovation for over 15 years.Read 8 Oct 2026 · mirumee.com
- Async and sync
- The server supports asynchronous query execution and also offers synchronous execution.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Client validation
- Generated client results are validated against generated Pydantic models at runtime.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- File uploads
- Ariadne implements the GraphQL multipart request specification, and its default Upload scalar is write-only and supports values passed through variables.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Resolvers
- Ariadne connects schema fields to application business logic through resolver functions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Server interfaces
- Ariadne provides WSGI and ASGI apps for serving GraphQL APIs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Server schema
- Developers define API schemas using GraphQL Schema Definition Language (SDL).Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- SQLAlchemy integration
- An optional SQLAlchemy 2.0 integration supports synchronous sessions under WSGI and ASGI, while AsyncSession is ASGI-only and has a documented limitation for sibling root fields.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
- Typed client
- Ariadne Codegen generates a typed Python client and Pydantic models from a GraphQL schema and operations.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ariadnegraphql.org
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports synchronous and asynchronous query execution
- WSGI and ASGI serving apps
- Generates typed Python clients and Pydantic models
- Runtime validation of generated client results
- Multipart request specification for uploads
Limits
- Self-hosted deployment
- AsyncSession integration is ASGI-only
- Default Upload scalar is write-only
- Sibling root-field limitation is documented
Who it suits
It suits Python developers building GraphQL APIs who want schema-first server tools and generated typed clients. Teams using SQLAlchemy AsyncSession should account for its ASGI-only support and documented sibling-root-field limitation.
Verdict
Ariadne provides schema-first GraphQL server capabilities alongside client code generation and validation. It is a free, self-hosted option for Python applications, with documented constraints for some upload and SQLAlchemy use cases.
Where Specifiction places it
- GraphQL Tools#5 of 328.1