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Netflix DGS

netflix.github.io

Free plan APISelf-hosted
Visit netflix.github.io
Spec score 7.7 #14 of 32 in GraphQL Tools

What it is

Netflix DGS is a free, open-source GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot, deployed as a self-hosted API service. Its annotation-based programming model supports Java and Kotlin, with Gradle or Maven builds. DGS favors schema-first development: schema files belong in src/main/resources/schema, and its Gradle plugin can generate Java types from a GraphQL schema. A test framework runs GraphQL queries in lightweight unit tests, while data loaders batch requests to help address the N+1 problem. The framework supports GraphQL Federation, WebSocket and SSE subscriptions, file uploads, error handling, and extension points. Spring Security integration allows @Secured on data fetchers after security configuration. DGS also integrates with Spring for GraphQL, although that path currently lacks SSE subscriptions and some DGS data-loader features do not work with Spring for GraphQL data loaders. A browser GraphiQL editor and an IntelliJ plugin are included. Current documentation requires Spring Boot 3 and JDK 17; DGS 11+ with Spring Boot 4 is actively maintained, while DGS 10.x receives most feature backports until the second half of 2026.

Spec sheet

Purpose
DGS is a GraphQL server framework for Spring Boot that makes it easier to create GraphQL services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
License
The repository lists the Apache-2.0 license.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Additional features
The framework includes GraphQL subscriptions over WebSockets and SSE, file uploads, error handling, and extension points.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build tools
Projects can use Gradle or Maven, with Java or Kotlin.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Code generation
The DGS code generation plugin can generate data types from a GraphQL schema.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
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.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data loaders
Data loaders batch data requests to help solve the GraphQL N+1 problem.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Federation
DGS supports GraphQL Federation and can reference and extend federated types.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
GraphiQL
The framework provides a GraphiQL query editor that can be opened in a browser while the service is running.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
IDE plugin
An IntelliJ plugin provides navigation between schema files and code, hints, and quick fixes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Language and build tools
The getting-started guide supports Java or Kotlin and Gradle or Maven.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Maintainer
Netflix primarily maintains the framework, with an active community around it.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Programming model
DGS provides an annotation-based programming model for Java and Kotlin.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
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.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Schema development
DGS is designed for schema-first development and loads schema files from the project's src/main/resources/schema folder.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Security integration
DGS integrates with Spring Security, allowing @Secured to be applied to data fetchers after Spring Security is configured.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
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.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Spring integration
DGS integrates with Spring for GraphQL, allowing users to use Spring for GraphQL features and web transports with DGS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io
Testing
DGS provides a query executor for testing data fetchers and documents integration testing with Spring MockMvc and HttpGraphQlTester.Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io

Plans and prices

Netflix DGS Framework Free Open source GraphQL framework for Java and Spring Boot Read 9 Oct 2026 · netflix.github.io

Every Netflix DGS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free Apache-2.0 open-source framework
  • Supports Java and Kotlin
  • Includes schema-to-Java code generation
  • Provides GraphQL query testing tools
  • Supports Federation and subscriptions

Limits

  • Current documentation requires JDK 17
  • Spring for GraphQL lacks SSE subscriptions
  • Some DGS data loaders do not integrate there
  • Older DGS 5.x is unmaintained

Who it suits

DGS suits Java or Kotlin teams building self-hosted GraphQL services with Spring Boot. It is relevant to projects needing schema tooling, federation, testing, data loading, or Spring Security integration.

Verdict

Netflix DGS offers a broad Spring Boot GraphQL toolkit with code generation, testing, federation, and security integration. Check Spring and JDK compatibility carefully, especially when using Spring for GraphQL transports or older DGS releases.

Where Specifiction places it

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