gRPC vs. REST API

• RESTful APIs and gRPC have significant differences in terms of their underlying technology, data format, and API contract requirements.

• Unlike RESTful APIs that use HTTP/1.1, gRPC is built on top of the newer and more efficient HTTP/2 protocol. This allows for faster communication and reduced latency, making gRPC ideal for high-performance applications.

• Another key difference is in the way data is serialized. gRPC uses Protocol Buffers, a binary format that is more compact and efficient compared to the text-based JSON format used by REST. This makes gRPC more suitable for applications with large payloads and high traffic volume.

• In terms of API contract requirements, gRPC is more strict than REST. The API contract must be clearly defined in the proto file, which serves as the single source of truth for the API. On the other hand, REST's API contract is often looser and more flexible, although it can be defined using OpenAPI.

Overall, both RESTful APIs and gRPC have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on the specific needs of the application.