GraphQL.js vs Lighthouse

GraphQL.js is the official JavaScript implementation of the GraphQL specification. It provides a parser, validator, executor, type system and related utilities for building GraphQL servers, clients, tools and schema workflows in JavaScript or TypeScript. Developers define a type schema and serve queries against it; the graphql function checks syntax and semantics before execution and reports invalid queries. Documentation identifies v17 as the current stable release, with v16 available for projects requiring older Node.js versions. Getting-started instructions require Node.js 22 or newer and provide installation commands for npm, pnpm, yarn and bun. The library runs in Node servers and browsers, distributes CommonJS and ESModule files, and the project says webpack and rollup builds should work. It is MIT-licensed, free, distributed through npm and intended for self-hosted deployment. Latest and previous major versions receive stated support, but no Long-Term Support version is offered.

Lighthouse is a framework for serving GraphQL from an existing Laravel application. It uses GraphQL Schema Definition Language and server-side directives to describe data and add behavior, while reusing Laravel concepts and Eloquent models. Built-in directives can create records, resolve relationships, apply query constraints, paginate results, and validate fields and arguments. Developers can add custom directives for reusable behavior, while the @can directive family can use Laravel Policies to restrict field operations. The default endpoint is `/graphql`, and any GraphQL client can use it. Lighthouse also supports standard Laravel authentication mechanisms, including Sanctum, and GraphQL subscriptions for event updates. Parsed queries can be cached with Laravel cache stores or local PHP files using OPcache; Automatic Persisted Queries are supported with Apollo compatibility. Installation uses Composer in a Laravel or Lumen project. The package is free and self-hosted. GraphQL tooling such as GraphiQL is not included, and federation support is experimental and cannot serve as a federation gateway.