Softwr

API Management · head to head

AWS API Gateway vs KeystoneJS

AWS API Gateway logo

AWS API Gateway

API Management

Fully managed API gateway service for creating and managing APIs at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

API Management

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AWS API Gateway rEST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
  • They diverge on capability: AWS API Gateway covers REST APIs, KeystoneJS covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AWS API Gateway and KeystoneJS actually diverge.

Attributes where AWS API Gateway and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeAWS API GatewayKeystoneJS
Pricing modelusage-basedopen-source
PlatformsAWS CloudNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20062016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management).

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 AWS API Gateway

  • REST APIs
  • WebSocket APIs
  • HTTP APIs
  • Lambda
  • EC2
  • DynamoDB
  • CloudWatch
  • IAM

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.

AWS API Gateway

  • Fronting Lambda functions with an HTTP endpointnot KeystoneJS
  • REST and HTTP API management with throttling and keysnot KeystoneJS
  • WebSocket APIs for real-time clientsnot KeystoneJS
  • Private APIs reachable only inside a VPCnot KeystoneJS
  • Publishing a developer portal for API consumersnot KeystoneJS

KeystoneJS

  • Building a headless CMS with a GraphQL API from a TypeScript schemanot AWS API Gateway
  • Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot AWS API Gateway
  • Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot AWS API Gateway

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AWS API Gateway

  • REST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer
  • Data transfer out is charged at $0.09 per GB on top of request pricing
  • WebSocket APIs bill connection minutes as well as messages, at $0.25 per million minutes
  • Private APIs avoid data transfer charges but incur AWS PrivateLink costs instead
  • The developer portal is $125 a month, with additional portal products at $12.50 each
  • The free tier lasts 12 months rather than being ongoing

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

AWS API Gateway

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M requests per month
    • Basic API management
  • Pay-as-you-go$3.5/per 1M requests
    • Unlimited requests
    • HTTP APIs
    • REST APIs

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose AWS API Gateway if

  • You need rest apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS Cloud.
  • You also want websocket apis.
AWS API Gateway review

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.
KeystoneJS review

Questions people ask

Is AWS API Gateway or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. AWS API Gateway 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, AWS API Gateway or KeystoneJS?
AWS API Gateway starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
Does AWS API Gateway or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
AWS API Gateway runs on AWS Cloud. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use AWS API Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AWS API Gateway best used for?
AWS API Gateway is most often used for fronting lambda functions with an http endpoint, rest and http api management with throttling and keys, websocket apis for real-time clients, private apis reachable only inside a vpc. Of those, fronting lambda functions with an http endpoint and rest and http api management with throttling and keys are not what KeystoneJS is typically brought in for.
What can AWS API Gateway do that KeystoneJS cannot?
AWS API Gateway covers REST APIs, WebSocket APIs, HTTP APIs, Lambda. KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on AWS API Gateway

More on KeystoneJS

Keep looking

Other head to heads