Software · head to head
Asyncapi vs KeystoneJS
Asyncapi
Software
Specification and tools for defining asynchronous APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
KeystoneJS
Software
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Asyncapi complex to implement and debug asynchronous operations due to their non-linear and concurrent nature; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
- They diverge on capability: Asyncapi covers API Specification, KeystoneJS covers REST API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Asyncapi and KeystoneJS actually diverge.
| Attribute | Asyncapi | KeystoneJS |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, CLI, IDE Extensions | Node.js, Self-hosted |
| Founded | 2019 | 2016 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Asyncapi
- API Specification
- Code generation
- Documentation
- Multiple messaging protocols
- Code generators
- Specification support
- Tools support
- CLI support
Only in KeystoneJS
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Admin interface
- Node.js
- Next.js
- React
- Databases
- Node.js support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Asyncapi
- API Developmentnot KeystoneJS
- API Gatewaynot KeystoneJS
- API Testingnot KeystoneJS
- API Documentationnot KeystoneJS
- Microservicesnot KeystoneJS
KeystoneJS
- Building a headless CMS with a GraphQL API from a TypeScript schemanot Asyncapi
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Asyncapi
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Asyncapi
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Asyncapi
- Complex to implement and debug asynchronous operations due to their non-linear and concurrent nature
- Keeping AsyncAPI documents up to date is challenging as systems evolve
- Tracing and debugging asynchronous operations is more difficult than synchronous request-response patterns
KeystoneJS
- Database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
- Keystone 5 is a separate legacy product documented on a different site and is not covered by the Keystone 6 docs
- Upgrading requires following a dedicated Migrate to 8.0.0 guide, so major versions are not drop-in
- Free support is a community Slack; enterprise-grade consulting and support is a separate paid engagement with Thinkmill and no published price
Pricing, plan by plan
Asyncapi
Free- Open SourceFree
- AsyncAPI specification
- Tools
- Community support
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Asyncapi if
- You need api specification.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, CLI, IDE Extensions.
- You also want code generation.
Choose KeystoneJS if
- You need rest api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Self-hosted.
- You also want graphql api.
Questions people ask
- Is Asyncapi or KeystoneJS better?
- Neither clearly leads. Asyncapi starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Asyncapi or KeystoneJS?
- Asyncapi starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
- Does Asyncapi or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
- Asyncapi runs on Web, CLI, IDE Extensions. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Asyncapi for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Asyncapi best used for?
- Asyncapi is most often used for api development, api gateway, api testing, api documentation. Of those, api development and api gateway are not what KeystoneJS is typically brought in for.
- What can Asyncapi do that KeystoneJS cannot?
- Asyncapi covers API Specification, Code generation, Documentation, Multiple messaging protocols. KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Asyncapi: What is AsyncAPI used for?
AsyncAPI is an open-source specification for defining and documenting asynchronous APIs, message-driven systems, and event-driven architectures. It serves the same purpose for async APIs as OpenAPI does for REST APIs, providing standardized documentation, code generation, and tooling.
SourceAsyncapi: Is AsyncAPI free to use?
Yes, AsyncAPI is completely free and open-source. It is hosted by the Linux Foundation and supported by community contributions and sponsorships from companies like Postman, IBM, IQVIA Technology, and Solace.
SourceAsyncapi: What protocols and technologies does AsyncAPI support?
AsyncAPI supports multiple protocols and technologies including Kafka, RabbitMQ, MQTT, Socket.IO, AWS EventBridge, and others. It provides language support for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Java, Go, C#/.NET, Kotlin, and PHP.
SourceAsyncapi: Does AsyncAPI have IDE support?
Yes, AsyncAPI has IDE extensions available for VSCode and IntelliJ, along with CLI utilities and GitHub Actions integration for developers.
Source