Blitz.js vs RedwoodGraphQL
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A toolkit that adds full-stack features on top of Next.js, built with Prisma.
Open source · MIT
A React web framework with an optional GraphQL API, built on Prisma; the README also promotes a newer sibling
The short answer
Choose Blitz.js if you need…
- Developers already comfortable with React and Next.js who want more built-in full-stack structure
- Teams building a full web app with a database and want a single project setup
- Developers who use or want to use Prisma alongside Next.js
Choose RedwoodGraphQL if you need…
- Developers building data-driven React apps who want a pre-assembled stack
- Prototypes and hackathons that may grow into larger projects
- Teams that want TypeScript end to end, from router to database
- Developers who want an optional GraphQL API alongside React
Side-by-side
| Blitz.js | RedwoodGraphQL | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Framework |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 14.1k | 17.6k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | See the README |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 12 months ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
Blitz.js
Blitz is a toolkit built on Next.js, the React framework, meant to cover the parts of building a full web app that Next.js leaves out. The README describes it as 'The Missing Fullstack Toolkit for Next.js' and its topics list Prisma, which suggests it is commonly paired with that database tool. It is aimed at developers who want to build a complete app in one project.
RedwoodGraphQL
RedwoodGraphQL is the GraphQL-focused repository of the Redwood web framework, which combines a React frontend, a GraphQL API, and a Prisma-based database layer in one project. The README describes it as opinionated and full-stack, meant to let developers skip picking every tool themselves. The README is mixed: its top section promotes RedwoodSDK, a separate project for Cloudflare, and its later sections describe the Redwood framework and a not-yet-released 'Bighorn' epoch.
Best for
Blitz.js
- Developers already comfortable with React and Next.js who want more built-in full-stack structure
- Teams building a full web app with a database and want a single project setup
- Developers who use or want to use Prisma alongside Next.js
RedwoodGraphQL
- Developers building data-driven React apps who want a pre-assembled stack
- Prototypes and hackathons that may grow into larger projects
- Teams that want TypeScript end to end, from router to database
- Developers who want an optional GraphQL API alongside React
Strengths
Blitz.js
- Open source under the MIT license, so it can be used and modified freely
- Builds on Next.js, a widely used React framework
- Has an active community with Discord and a discussions forum linked from the README
RedwoodGraphQL
- Bundles many common pieces (React, Prisma, Jest, Storybook, GraphQL) into one framework
- Supports TypeScript throughout, with JavaScript also allowed
- Documented tutorial, quick start, and docs site
Not ideal for
Blitz.js
- Complete beginners to JavaScript or React, since the README gives little guidance for learning the basics
- Projects that need only a static site or a simple frontend with no backend
- People who need a stable, long-term version guarantee, since the README does not describe its release policy
RedwoodGraphQL
- Someone who only wants a small static site, since the README frames Redwood around data-driven apps
- Non-developers, because it requires React, a database, and command-line setup
- Teams who need the unreleased Bighorn features now, since the README says it has no production release yet
Trade-offs
Blitz.js
- The README is truncated and gives limited detail on features, so the exact scope is unclear from it
- Relies on the Next.js and Prisma ecosystems, so you inherit their complexity
- Install instructions show a global npm package, which some teams may prefer to avoid
RedwoodGraphQL
- The README's top section and the Bighorn section describe unreleased or different products, which can confuse newcomers
- Opinionated design means you adopt its conventions and stack choices
- The README does not state a clear version roadmap for the GraphQL-specific parts
Getting started
Blitz.js
Install Blitz globally with npm
npm install -g blitzInstall Blitz globally with yarn
yarn global add blitzRedwoodGraphQL
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/redwoodjs/graphqlFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Blitz.js and RedwoodGraphQL?
Blitz.js: A toolkit that adds full-stack features on top of Next.js, built with Prisma. RedwoodGraphQL: A React web framework with an optional GraphQL API, built on Prisma; the README also promotes a newer sibling . Blitz.js suits developers already comfortable with react and next.js who want more built-in full-stack structure, while RedwoodGraphQL suits developers building data-driven react apps who want a pre-assembled stack.
Are Blitz.js and RedwoodGraphQL free?
Blitz.js: Free and open source. RedwoodGraphQL: Free and open source.
Is Blitz.js or RedwoodGraphQL more popular?
RedwoodGraphQL has more GitHub stars (17.6k) than Blitz.js (14.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Blitz.js and RedwoodGraphQL?
Other options people compare them with include Next.js, Wasp, react-admin, refine, Nextra.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.