A web service is a set of protocols and standards that facilitates data exchange between different software applications. Web services are typically accessed over a network, use protocols like SOAP, UDDI, and WSDL, and exchange data in XML format over HTTP. They are often used in legacy B2B systems or when integrating with older software architectures. (Source)
The main components of a web service include SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), RDF (Resource Description Framework), UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration), and WSDL (Web Services Description Language). These components define how web services communicate and describe their capabilities. (Source)
Key features of web services include being accessed through a network connection, being loosely coupled, using protocols like SOAP, UDDI, and WSDL for communication, running on the HTTP protocol, exchanging data in XML format, and generally not having a lightweight design. (Source)
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of protocols and definitions that allows two software components to communicate. APIs can use various technologies and protocols, such as GraphQL, REST, WebSocket, and RPC. APIs are generally more accessible, lightweight, and easier to implement than web services, and can be used for both local and networked communication. (Source)
The main components of an API are the client and server, and the request-response formats defined by the API contract. APIs typically have a lightweight architecture and are highly configurable. (Source)
APIs are characterized by data exchange in JSON format, not requiring a specific network to access, lightweight architecture, high configurability, and ease of implementation and use. (Source)
Web services are a specific type of API that use strict protocols (like SOAP and XML) and require a network connection, while APIs are a broader category that can use various protocols (including REST and GraphQL), are more lightweight, and can operate locally or over a network. APIs are generally easier to implement and more flexible than web services. (Source)
No, not all APIs are web services. While web services are a type of API that operate over a network using specific protocols, APIs can also be local and use a variety of communication methods. (Source)
Distinguishing between web services and APIs is important for understanding product integrations, choosing the right technology for your needs, and ensuring compatibility with modern or legacy systems. (Source)
APIs are widely used for building public-facing or auth-controlled application interfaces, integrating with third-party services, enabling communication between microservices, and supporting configurable business logic in modern software development. (Source)
Web services are commonly used in legacy B2B systems, payment ecosystems, storage services, email services, and scenarios where integration with older software architectures is required. (Source)
APIs support modern software development by enabling flexible, lightweight, and configurable communication between software components, supporting microservices architectures, and facilitating integration with a wide range of third-party services. (Source)
Web services commonly use protocols such as SOAP, UDDI, and WSDL, and typically exchange data in XML format over HTTP. (Source)
APIs can use a variety of protocols, including REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, and RPC, and typically exchange data in JSON format. (Source)
Yes, APIs can be used for local communication between applications on the same device, and do not always require a network connection. (Source)
Web services are considered more process intensive because they require strict adherence to protocols, use XML for data exchange, and often involve more complex setup and maintenance compared to the lightweight and flexible nature of APIs. (Source)
Hygraph provides multiple APIs, including a Content API for querying and mutating data, a High Performance Content API for low latency and high throughput, an MCP Server API for AI assistant integration, an Asset Upload API, and a Management API for project structure. (Source)
You can learn more about the internal workings of APIs in the Hygraph blog article How do APIs work?.
Understanding the differences between APIs and web services helps you choose the right integration method for your project, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance when connecting Hygraph with other systems. (Source)
Hygraph offers a GraphQL-native architecture, content federation, scalability, enterprise-grade security and compliance, user-friendly tools, Smart Edge Cache, localization, asset management, and cost efficiency. (Source)
Yes, Hygraph supports integrations with Digital Asset Management systems (e.g., Aprimo, AWS S3, Bynder, Cloudinary, Imgix, Mux, Scaleflex Filerobot), Adminix, Plasmic, and custom integrations via SDKs and APIs. Marketplace apps are also available. (Source)
Hygraph provides a Content API, High Performance Content API, MCP Server API, Asset Upload API, and Management API. Each serves different purposes, from content delivery to project management and AI integration. (Source)
Hygraph delivers high performance through optimized endpoints for low latency and high throughput, active performance measurement, and practical optimization advice for developers. (Source)
Hygraph provides extensive documentation, including API references, schema components, references, webhooks, and AI integrations. (Source)
Hygraph is known for its intuitive user interface, ease of setup, and ability for non-technical users to manage content independently. Real-time changes and custom app integrations further enhance usability. (Source)
Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (since August 3, 2022), ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant. It offers granular permissions, audit logs, SSO, encryption, regular backups, and dedicated hosting options. (Source)
Hygraph encrypts data at rest and in transit, provides audit logs, supports SSO, and uses ISO 27001-certified providers and data centers. Customers can report security incidents through a dedicated process. (Source)
Hygraph offers three main pricing plans: Hobby (free forever), Growth (starting at $199/month), and Enterprise (custom pricing). Each plan includes different features and support levels. (Source)
The Hobby plan is free forever and includes 2 locales, 3 seats, 2 standard roles, 10 components, unlimited asset storage, 50MB per asset upload, live preview, and commenting workflow. (Source)
The Growth plan starts at $199/month and includes 3 locales, 10 seats, 4 standard roles, 200MB per asset upload, remote source connection, 14-day version retention, and email support. (Source)
The Enterprise plan offers custom limits, version retention for a year, scheduled publishing, dedicated infrastructure, global CDN, security controls, SSO, multitenancy, backup recovery, custom workflows, and dedicated support. (Source)
Implementation time varies by project complexity. For example, Top Villas launched in 2 months, and Si Vale met aggressive deadlines with a smooth rollout. (Source)
Hygraph offers a free API playground, free developer accounts, structured onboarding (calls, provisioning, kickoffs), training resources, extensive documentation, and a community Slack channel. (Source)
Hygraph addresses operational inefficiencies (developer dependency, legacy tech), financial challenges (cost, speed-to-market), and technical issues (schema evolution, integrations, performance, localization). (Source)
Hygraph is the first GraphQL-native Headless CMS, offers content federation, enterprise-grade features, user-friendly tools, and proven ROI. It ranked 2nd out of 102 Headless CMSs in the G2 Summer 2025 report. (Source)
Notable customers include Samsung, Dr. Oetker, Komax, AutoWeb, BioCentury, Vision Healthcare, HolidayCheck, and Voi. (Source)
Hygraph serves SaaS, marketplace, education technology, media, healthcare, consumer goods, automotive, technology, fintech, travel, food and beverage, eCommerce, agencies, gaming, events, government, consumer electronics, engineering, and construction. (Source)
Customers can expect improved operational efficiency, faster speed-to-market, cost efficiency, enhanced scalability, and better customer engagement. Case studies show 3x faster time-to-market and 20% increases in monetization. (Source)
Yes. Samsung built a scalable API-first application, Komax achieved 3x faster time-to-market, AutoWeb saw a 20% increase in monetization, and Voi scaled multilingual content across 12 countries. (Source)
Hygraph is designed for developers, product managers, content creators, marketers, solutions architects, enterprises, agencies, eCommerce, media, technology companies, and global brands. (Source)
Written by Hygraph
on Dec 12, 2022The terms web services and APIs are frequently used, but may cause confusion. While they do share some similarities since they both facilitate data transfers between two software components, they shouldn't be assumed as the same thing.
In this article, we'll examine each of them individually and examine the components that make them up, as well as compare the key differences between web services and APIs.
The answer to what web services are depends quite a lot on the context of the ongoing conversation. In one context, we can see web services as payment ecosystems, storage services, email services, cloud functions, text-to-speech converters, etc. These services are individual systems in themselves that save you a lot of “building up from scratch” when you are coding applications. Anyone who wants to use them can sign up for it in a pay-as-you-go model.
Going back to the 2000s, in another context, we can say that Web Services are a set of protocols and standards that facilitates data exchange between different software applications. We will be talking about this context throughout the article.
Below are the components that are needed to build a web service.
Building web services need strict rules to be followed, and they tend to be more process intensive and code-heavy. Web services are about the same as SOA (Services Oriented Architecture) and are primarily based on standards such as XML-RPC and SOAP. Generally, SOAP is used, and the exchange of data happens in XML over the HTTP protocol.
Today, web services are mainly used in legacy B2B systems or when there is a need to integrate with systems running on an old software architecture.
The term API refers to an Application Programming Interface, similar to web services when two software components need to communicate with each other they can do it with the help of an API. APIs leverage technologies and follow a protocol to facilitate communication. There are different APIs like GraphQL, REST, WebSocket APIs, RPC APIs, and more. All APIs have their own set of protocols and definitions, so each API type will have a different operating mechanism.
Compared to web services, APIs are more accessible, they do not need you to be in a specific network to run, they have a lightweight architecture, and they are easier to implement. APIs can use any kind of communication convention and are not restricted like a web service. We can say that API is a broader category, whereas web services are a specific flavor or type of API.
It is often assumed that APIs are web APIs (APIs available over the Internet). However, APIs can also be exposed through local files to allow two local applications to communicate. Since the two applications are on the same device, there is no need for a network.
APIs have a comparably lightweight architecture.
To learn more about the internal workings of an API we recommend checking out this article.
APIs are the broader category and are widely used for facilitating communication between software applications today. They support major use cases for building public-facing or auth-controlled application interfaces, with configurable business logic in a less complicated manner compared to web services.
Ultimately, APIs can be considered to include web services, but are not limited to them. The lightweight architecture makes APIs more accessible to a broader extent.
Although there are subtle differences between these 2 concepts, it's critical to distinguish them so that you can better understand your product's integrations.
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