AWS AppSync features

Simplified Data Access and Querying

AWS AppSync uses GraphQL, a data language that enables client apps to fetch, change and subscribe to data from servers. In a GraphQL query, the client specifies how the data is to be structured when it is returned by the server. This makes it possible for the client to query only for the data it needs, in the format that it needs it in. GraphQL also includes a feature called “introspection” which lets new developers on a project discover the data available without requiring knowledge of the backend.

Cache your data that doesn't change frequently for improved performance

AWS AppSync’s server-side data caching capabilities reduce the need to directly access data sources by making data available in high speed in-memory managed caches, delivering data at low latency. Being fully managed, it eliminates the operational overhead of managing cache clusters. By providing the flexibility to selectively cache data fields and operations defined in the GraphQL schema with customizable expiration, data caching further enables developers to configure optimal performance for their business needs.

Generate a unified GraphQL API based on multiple independent source APIs from different teams

An AppSync Merged GraphQL API composes multiple GraphQL schemas, imports AppSync data sources and resolvers from multiple APIs, and consolidates all resources, combining all the APIs into a single Merged API endpoint that can be exposed to clients. This improves multi-service isolation and minimizes the need for service teams to interact with each other by automating the integration and composition of GraphQL schemas.

Build engaging user experiences

Easily publish and subscribe to real-time data updates and events, like live sports scores and stats, group chat messages, price and inventory level changes, or location and schedule updates, without having to deploy and manage WebSockets infrastructure.

Pub/sub simplified

Developers get started with AppSync Event APIs by simply naming their Event API and defining its default authorization mode and channel namespace(s). That’s it. They can then immediately begin publishing events to channels that they define at runtime.

Transform and filter messages

Event handlers are optional and can be used by developers to transform events as they are published, and to perform advanced authorization logic on publish or subscribe connection requests.

Multiple auth modes

Multiple, built-in auth modes for API keys, OIDC providers, Amazon Cognito, and custom Lambda authorizers, makes setting up auth simple.

Use your own domain name to access AWS AppSync endpoints

AWS AppSync enables customers to use custom domain names with their AWS AppSync API endpoints. To create a custom domain name in AppSync, you simply provide a domain name you own and indicate a valid AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) certificate that covers your domain. Once the custom domain name is created, you can associate the domain name with any available AppSync API in your account. After you have updated your DNS record to map to to the AppSync-provided domain name, you can configure your applications to use the new GraphQL and Event API endpoints. You can change the API association on your custom domain at any time without having to update your applications. When AppSync receives a request on the custom domain endpoint, it routes it to the associated API for handling.

Monitoring, analytics, logging and tracing

With AWS AppSync you can easily configure AWS CloudWatch and AWS X-Ray to provide comprehensive logging and tracing for your AppSync APIs.

Secure your APIs

AWS AppSync offers support for private APIs that can be used to limit API exposure to only within a customer's VPC. Traffic to a private API uses connections that are designed to be secure and does not leave the Amazon network. Customers can also use AWS web application firewall(WAF) to protect their web application and AppSync API from common web exploits, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.