What is AWS AppSync?
AWS AppSync is a managed service that connects applications to data sources, backend services, and AI models through GraphQL APIs and a standalone Events API (pub/sub). AppSync handles operation, scaling, and security of the API layer, so development teams can focus on schema and business logic.
A GraphQL API can combine multiple data sources such as DynamoDB, Aurora, Lambda functions, and Amazon Bedrock in a single request. The separate Events API enables real-time messaging for millions of concurrent connections, independent of GraphQL.
Core Features
- GraphQL APIs: Schema-based API development with queries, mutations, and subscriptions, including APIs generated automatically from DynamoDB or Aurora tables
- Events API: Standalone pub/sub API for real-time messaging, e.g., chat, location tracking, or inventory updates
- Federated APIs: Multiple GraphQL source APIs can be merged into one combined API
- AI Integration: Direct connection to Amazon Bedrock for accessing foundation models from within the API
- Security: Multiple auth modes (API key, Cognito, IAM, OIDC, Lambda), private APIs, AWS WAF integration, and managed custom domains
- Caching: Optional dedicated cache instances for faster response times
Typical Use Cases
Mobile and web apps with real-time data: Subscriptions or the Events API automatically push updates to connected clients, for example for chats, live dashboards, or location tracking.
Backend aggregation: One GraphQL API combines data from DynamoDB, legacy REST APIs, and microservices into a consistent interface for frontend teams.
AI-powered applications: The Bedrock integration allows foundation models to be embedded directly in GraphQL resolvers, for example for chatbots or text generation within existing APIs.
Benefits
- Reduced network traffic through targeted data queries instead of rigid REST endpoints
- Native real-time functionality without additional WebSocket infrastructure
- Separate, specialized Events API for pure pub/sub use cases
- Pay-per-use without managing your own servers
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS Reseller, innFactory supports you with AWS AppSync: GraphQL schema design, resolver development, building Events-based real-time functionality, and migrating existing REST APIs to GraphQL.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AWS AppSync?
AWS AppSync is a managed service that connects applications to data, backend services, and AI models through GraphQL APIs and a separate pub/sub Events API. It handles hosting, scaling, and operation of the API layer.
What does AWS AppSync cost?
AppSync GraphQL charges a price per million query and mutation operations plus per million real-time updates and connection minutes. The separate Events API has its own price per million event operations. Data transfer is billed at standard AWS rates, and a free tier is included in the first year. Current amounts are listed on the AWS pricing page.
Which data sources does AppSync support?
AppSync connects to DynamoDB, Aurora, Lambda functions, HTTP endpoints, and Amazon Bedrock for AI model integration, among others. Multiple data sources, and even multiple GraphQL APIs, can be merged into a single federated API.
What is the AppSync Events API?
The Events API is a standalone pub/sub capability in AppSync for real-time messaging, such as chat, live location updates, or inventory changes. It can be used independently of the GraphQL API and is billed separately.
Can I migrate existing REST APIs?
Yes. AppSync can use REST endpoints as a data source. You can migrate gradually by creating GraphQL resolvers that call existing REST APIs.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of AWS (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by AWS.