GraphQL has become one of the most powerful developer tools on the market. Companies like Shopify, Netflix, PayPal, and Facebook use this query language to load data from their servers to their clients. If you are hoping to master GraphQL over a short period of time, we’ve compiled the best online GraphQL courses, classes, and training to help you to make an informed decision.
What Is GraphQL?
GraphQL is an open source query language initially developed by Facebook and then released to the public in 2015. It allows for clients to specify exactly what data they are looking for, and allows for easy aggregation of data from multiple sources.
GraphQL can be deployed in an integrated development environment (IDE) and it also works as an alternative to REST. This means that developers can construct requests that gather data from different sources in one API call.
Why Online GraphQL Courses Are Important for Professional Development
Online GraphQL courses are important for professional development because they provide a starting point for beginners and also help experienced professionals sharpen or update their skills. Online courses require less time and focus on the main concepts and skills you need to thrive in the field. Learning GraphQL online will do a lot for your professional development.
Should You Attend a Coding Bootcamp to Learn GraphQL?
A coding bootcamp can be a great option to learn the fundamentals of GraphQL and its real-world applications. These programs are usually short, intensive, and more affordable than traditional universities. Some people prefer bootcamps because they also offer career services and allow you to connect with a network of learners and teachers.
Overview: The Best Online GraphQL Courses, Classes, or Training
The table below lists 15 of the best courses, classes, and training options to help you master GraphQL. It includes information about cost, length, and certificate of completion availability. Below the table, you will find more details about each offering.
| Provider | Course | Price | Length | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| edX | Exploring GraphQL: A Query Language for APIs | $149 | 7 Weeks | Yes |
| LinkedIn Learning | GraphQL Essential Training | $34.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | GraphQL with React: The Complete Developers Guide | $84.99 |
Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | The Modern GraphQL Bootcamp with Node.js and Apollo | $84.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | GraphQL by Example | $69.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | GraphQL with Spring Boot: Foundation I | $49.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Basics of GraphQL with Ruby on Rails | $34.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | GraphQL Apollo Server with Node.js and MongoDB: GraphQL API | $29.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | GraphQL API with Java Spring Boot for Beginners | $29.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Complete Guide to Building a GraphQL API | $34.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Performant GraphQL Backend in One Day by Using Hasura Engine | $19.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Django with GraphQL | $29.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Learn GraphQL with .NET Core for Absolute Beginners 2021 | $84.99 |
Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Building Better APIs with GraphQL | $49.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
| Udemy | Next.js and Apollo: Portfolio App, with React, GraphQL, and Node | $109.99 | Self-Paced | Yes |
In Detail: The Best Online GraphQL Classes, Courses, or Training
Exploring GraphQL: A Query Language for APIs | edX
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: GraphQL fundamentals, tooling, GraphQL ecosystem, GraphQL server
This intermediate-level course covers GraphQL fundamentals. Students learn about the advantages of this tool over REST and the best web architecture to use with it. The curriculum also covers the benefits of GraphQL for backend and front end developers. The course includes hands-on exercises so students can practice GraphQL queries using an interactive playground.
The course also covers topics like how to keep GraphQL servers secure, how to implement GraphQL servers on the backend, and how GraphQL works with clients. It prepares you to use GraphQL as a programmer for small projects or even large ones.
Key Takeaway: This is a free, self-paced, hands-on course that is perfect for intermediate students.
GraphQL Essential Training | LinkedIn Learning
- Learning Format: Class with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Mutations, object types, field
This two-hour online class from LinkedIn Learning covers GraphQL fundamentals such as how to set it up, basic fields and types, and GraphQL schema. Students learn to use MongoDB and SQL with GraphQL. The curriculum also covers how to use advanced features in queries and add new items.
By the end of the course, students will be able to use MongoDB and SQL with GraphQL, master the Apollo setup process, and use it effectively. They will also have a chance to work on different practice exercises to test their knowledge of the subject.
Key Takeaway: This hands-on course by LinkedIn provides a certificate of completion that you can share on your profile.
GraphQL with React: The Complete Developers Guide | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Bidirectional relations, working with GraphQL, shortcomings of RESTful routing
This course helps developers start using GraphQL by teaching them the core skills and knowledge needed to understand React apps and build them quickly. The course includes fundamentals of GraphQL such as schemas, data types, and React and Express integration. During each lecture, source code is provided to students, which they can use on their own projects afterward.
Key Takeaway: You need to be familiar with React to take advantage of this course. It is ideal for people who have a bit of experience but are not fully confident in their skills to work independently.
The Modern GraphQL Bootcamp with Node.js and Apollo | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Updating data with mutations, deleting data with mutations
This video-based course is geared towards developers building backend applications with Node.js. It provides students with the skills and real-world experience needed to build and launch GraphQL apps. It starts with the basics, and moves on to advanced topics, such as authentication, database storage, production deployment, and automated test suites.
Key Takeaway: This is an interactive course containing over 80 challenges to help students learn to write code and solve real-world problems.
GraphQL by Example | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Configuring Apollo server with Express, returning an array of jobs, handling GraphQL error responses
With one of the highest ratings among all GraphQL courses on Udemy, GraphQL by Example is for JavaScript developers who want to learn to use GraphQL. Students learn to use this tool for both server-side GraphQL applications and client applications. The course is a practical guide for anyone who wants hands-on training in how to make a full stack JavaScript application.
The course starts by covering GraphQL concepts like queries, schema definition, subscriptions, and mutations. Students also learn to handle client-side caching and authorization. By completing the course, students will be able to build GraphQL servers based on Express, Node.js, and Apollo Server. They also learn to invoke APIs of GraphQL from JavaScript client apps with Apollo Client or HTTP requests.
Key Takeaway: The paid version of this course offers users access to all of the content for as long as they want.
GraphQL with Spring Boot: Foundation I | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Advanced
- Subjects Covered: How to set up your project, how to test your service, the four GraphQL development steps
This course is ideal for Spring Boot and Java developers. It is also suitable for product owners or managers who want to understand the GraphQL interface. Some practical knowledge of the traditional REST API can come in handy as well. Students learn to design and build SpringBoot apps using GraphQL interfaces.
The coursework includes hands-on exercises such as how to create your own functional GraphQL microservice. Students also learn to write complete GraphQL microservices with Spring Boot. At the end of the course, you should be able to start and finish a GraphQL service quickly.
Key Takeaway: With this course, students will learn how to design and develop Spring Boot applications and microservices with a flexible GraphQL interface.
Basics of GraphQL with Ruby on Rails | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Advanced
- Subjects Covered: Visibility, accessibility, authorization, authentication, queries
This course is ideal for backend developers using Ruby on Rails and who want to find a better way to communicate with the front end. The lectures help students understand how to use GraphQL to move data between the front end and the backend. They also cover how to read data, change data, and protect data to ensure that it is available when needed.
Key Takeaway: Students need to have experience working with Ruby on Rails and be familiar with APIs to benefit from this course.
GraphQL Apollo Server with Node.js and MongoDB: GraphQL API | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Advanced
- Subjects Covered: Object and array destructuring, spread operator, where to find source code
This course is for developers who want to learn to use GraphQL to build APIs in Node.js. It focuses on building GraphQL APIs using Apollo Server in Express, Node.js, and MongoDB.
The coursework covers JWT authentication, data loaders, and cache database query. It also covers how to implement offset limit pagination, implement faster pagination using a cursor-based pagination strategy, and secure GraphQL APIs with authentication context and resolver middleware.
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Students also learn about GraphQL concepts like mutation, query, and subscription. Finally, the course teaches students GraphQL best practices as well as how to use proper schema design to build scalable APIs.
Key Takeaway: This course requires basic knowledge of JavaScript and is geared towards developers who want to learn to build real-world Node applications with GraphQL and MongoDB.
GraphQL API with Java Spring Boot for Beginners | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: GraphQL query, defining GraphQL schema, GraphQL vs REST API
This online course focuses on the fundamentals of GraphQL for beginners. It covers Spring Data JPA and Spring Boot using MySQL database as well. Students learn the basics, as the course answers questions about what GraphQL is and how it differs from REST, as well as core concepts such as mutation, schema, query, resolver, and edge.
After covering the fundamentals, students will learn to write GraphQL queries and deploy their GraphQL Spring Boot app to a cloud platform called Heroku. They also learn to use Spring Boot to create GraphQL mutations and queries.
Key Takeaway: Students get a shareable certificate and lifetime access when they purchase this beginner’s course.
Complete Guide to Building a GraphQL API | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: GraphQL definitions, aliases and fragments, queries and mutations
This course is suitable for people who want to learn to use GraphQL API or professionals who want to switch from REST API. Students require prior knowledge of Node.js and JavaScript to enroll. The course explores the main differences between REST and GraphQL.
Students also learn about why GraphQL is better and more efficient. The course covers the best practices while using this tool, how to use variables to send user input safely to the server, and the difference between mutations and queries.
Key Takeaway: This course is designed for anyone wanting to learn an alternative to inefficient REST APIs.
Performant GraphQL Backend in One Day by Using Hasura Engine | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced class with hands-on training
- Level: Advanced
- Subjects Covered: Migration squashing, creating initial migration, how to export metadata
This short class covers how to transform databases into GraphQL servers using pagination, full-text search, and built-in sorting. Students also learn to create Angular and React application examples using Hasura Backend and Apollo Client.
The coursework includes how to create role-based access to data and students learn about authentication with Firebase and JWT tokens, how to build real-time queries, CI/CD pipelines, and how to use simple file uploading strategies with Hasura actions, GraphQL, and Firebase storage.
Key Takeaway: This course offers specific, short-term training for anyone with experience in using Hasura Engine.
Django with GraphQL | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Backend GraphQL APIs, types, queries, mutations, relay implementations
This course covers the basics of GraphQL, its advantages over REST, and some of the disadvantages. Participants will also learn about different GraphQL concepts such as queries, schemas, mutations, types, and subscriptions. Students then learn how to create a Django project, and how to add GraphQL to it.
Key Takeaway: Students require basic knowledge of the Python programming language to enroll in this course.
Learn GraphQL with .NET Core for Absolute Beginners 2021 | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: GraphQL queries, arguments, schemas, aliases, fragments, variables, mutations
This introduction to GraphQL uses .NET Core as its entry point. The course is ideal for people without any GraphQL experience. However, you need to have some knowledge of REST API along with .NET Core. The course covers how to create GraphQL endpoints with the .NET Core framework. Students also learn about various advanced concepts in GraphQL.
During the course, students learn to create real-world projects using .NET Core and GraphQL. They cover all the advanced functions and GraphQL essentials, such as queries, mutations, types, fragments, variables, and aliases. Students can create coffee shop projects in GraphQL and .NET Core by the end of the course.
Key Takeaway: Prior programming experience in object oriented programming languages will help students master the contents of this course more quickly.
Building Better APIs with GraphQL | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: GraphQL on the server, queries, mutations
This course is ideal for people who want to upgrade their application programming interface (API) skills. The coursework teaches students how to implement the GraphQL schema on their servers as well as how to query GraphQL to access and mutate data. The course is hands-on and students start by creating a schema using dummy data. This schema is then added to a Star Wars API.
Key Takeaway: Participants get lifetime access to the course, which includes two projects that students build from scratch.
Next.js and Apollo: Portfolio App, with React, GraphQL, Node | Udemy
- Learning Format: Self-paced course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner, intermediate, or advanced
- Subjects Covered: Server refactoring, providing parameters in a query, Apollo server
This awesome GraphQL course covers portfolio features and how to manage data with GraphQL and Apollo on the server. Students learn to populate input using existing data and work on the delete functionality. Students also learn the fundamentals of data mutations and data fetching with Apollo Client.
Key Takeaway: This course can be taken by new developers as well as advanced users.
Online GraphQL Classes, Training, or Courses: Which Is the Right Option?
Depending on your needs, career goals, and time availability, you can choose between different training options to help you master GraphQL. Some workplaces sign up their entire team for training programs, but you can also study GraphQL and other programming technologies on your own as an individual learner.
If you want to learn a specific feature of GraphQL without committing too much time or energy, single classes are a great option. If you need a greater depth of knowledge, you or your company can enroll you in a course that covers a wider variety of topics. A full-on training will provide the most hands-on experience, but it will require a greater commitment.
How to Choose the Right Online GraphQL Course, Class, or Training Program
First Factor: Flexibility
One factor to consider before choosing an online GraphQL course, class, or training program is flexibility. As a working professional, it may be difficult to enroll in a full-time program. A flexible course allows you to study whenever you have spare time without having to renounce other obligations.
Second Factor: Cost
Think about the cost and what you are willing to spend to learn GraphQL. You may be able to find only a few free GraphQL courses because of how complex it is. Most are paid and contain hands-on exercises and projects to give you a chance to practice what you learn. Make sure to research your options and find a program that offers a good balance between cost and benefit.
Third Factor: Curriculum
Before choosing a course, make sure you are clear on your learning goals. If you are a beginner, you need to enroll in a course with introductory modules covering all the basics. If, however, you are hoping to master specific skills related to GraphQL, make sure these are listed on the course curriculum.
GraphQL Course Certificates vs Certifications
GraphQL course certificates are given after a student completes an online course. They merely prove that the student took that course. In most cases, they do not include qualifying examinations, unlike certifications, which require you to pass exams. Certifications are awarded by national bodies to show that you are skilled in GraphQL.
Importance of GraphQL Certifications
GraphQL certifications are important because they prove to other professionals that you are skilled in the framework and that you can use it to solve real-world problems. Certification can increase your employability, as recruiters tend to look for this type of credential when screening candidates.
Why You Should Take Online GraphQL Courses or Classes
You should take online GraphQL courses if you are a developer and you want to use this tool instead of a RESTful API. There are courses available for beginners who want to learn GraphQL from scratch as well as for advanced users who want to make better apps with GraphQL. They can help you refresh your skills and help you stay on top of the latest real-world applications.
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