Compare
Node File Router vs WunderGraph
Short answer: Pick Node File Router if you want File-based routing for Node APIs; pick WunderGraph if you want federated GraphQL governance and scaling. Node File Router is free and open source; WunderGraph has a free plan, paid from $499/month.
-(2).jpg1696338191590.png?width=96)
Node File RouterA file-based routing for Node.js. Works with pure Node.js, Bun, Express.js, ws, and more! 💫 
WunderGraphMaster API CompostitionWhich to pick
Pick Node File Router if you want…
- File-based routing for Node APIs
- A free, open-source tool
- Integrations with Node.js, Bun or Express.js (on Node File Router's list, not WunderGraph's)
Pick WunderGraph if you want…
- Federated GraphQL governance and scaling
- API composition platform
- Integrations with gRPC, Kafka or NATS (on WunderGraph's list, not Node File Router's)
Side by side
- What it is
- Node File Router:Node File Router lets you define a Node.js API with file-based routes, similar to Next.js or Nuxt.
- WunderGraph:WunderGraph Cosmo is a platform for building, managing and scaling federated GraphQL APIs.
- Best for
- Node File Router:File-based routing for Node APIs
- WunderGraph:Federated GraphQL governance and scaling
- Who it’s for
- Node File Router:Node.js developers who want simple, framework-agnostic routing.
- WunderGraph:Teams that need to compose, govern and host GraphQL federations at any scale.
- Pricing
- Node File Router:Open source
- WunderGraph:Freemium
- Starting price
- Node File Router:Free
- WunderGraph:$499/month (Launch)
- Free plan or trial
- Node File Router:Free to use
- WunderGraph:—
- Plans
- Node File Router:—
- WunderGraph:Launch $499 per month · Scale $3499 per month
- Open source
- Node File Router:Yes, 207 GitHub stars
- WunderGraph:Yes
- Works with
- Node File Router:Node.js, Bun, Express.js, WebSockets, ES modules, TypeScript
- WunderGraph:gRPC, Kafka, NATS, Redis, Apollo Federation v1, Apollo Federation v2, Prometheus, OpenTelemetry
Node File Router features
- Technology Agnostic. Works with pure Node.js, Bun, Express.js, WebSockets and more.
- Works Everywhere. Supports CommonJS, ES modules and provides TypeScript out of the box.
- Powerful Routing. Dynamic routes with wildcard parameters using a Next.js-like interface.
- Zero Dependencies. No external packages and 100% test coverage.
WunderGraph features
- Connect any service. Expose gRPC, Kafka, NATS or Redis services through a unified GraphQL router without extra infrastructure.
- Real-time streams. Router handles subscriptions, aggregating events from Kafka, NATS or Redis and pushes updates to clients.
- MCP Gateway. One gateway turns approved operations into agent-ready tools with built-in authentication, eliminating separate MCP servers.
- Graph governance hub. Shared canvas for schema design, review, ownership, proposals and safe deployments with audit logs and RBAC.
- Cache warming. Pre-warm query planning cache to eliminate long planning delays for high-load scenarios.
Node File Router vs WunderGraph FAQ
What is the difference between Node File Router and WunderGraph?+
WunderGraph focuses on API composition and federation, while Node File Router provides simple file-based routing.
Should I use Node File Router or WunderGraph?+
Pick Node File Router if you want File-based routing for Node APIs, a free, open-source tool or integrations with Node.js, Bun or Express.js (on Node File Router's list, not WunderGraph's). Pick WunderGraph if you want federated GraphQL governance and scaling, API composition platform or integrations with gRPC, Kafka or NATS (on WunderGraph's list, not Node File Router's).
Is Node File Router or WunderGraph free?+
Node File Router is free and open source. WunderGraph has a free plan; paid plans start at $499/month (Launch).
Which is cheaper, Node File Router or WunderGraph?+
Node File Router is free, so it costs less. WunderGraph starts at $499/month (Launch).
Is Node File Router or WunderGraph open source?+
Yes, both are open source: Node File Router (danilqa/node-file-router on GitHub, MIT license) and WunderGraph (wundergraph/wundergraph on GitHub).
Do Node File Router and WunderGraph integrate with the same tools?+
Their integration lists don't overlap: Node File Router lists Node.js, Bun, Express.js, WebSockets and 2 more; WunderGraph lists gRPC, Kafka, NATS, Redis and 4 more.
On DevHunt
Node File Router
123 upvotes · Launched on DevHunt on Jan 17, 2023
WunderGraph
38 upvotes · Launched on DevHunt on Jan 3, 2023
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.