Softwr

Software · head to head

CircleCI vs KeystoneJS

CircleCI logo

CircleCI

Software

The leading CI/CD platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

Software

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CircleCI the free plan covers 6,000 build minutes and 5 active users a month; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CircleCI and KeystoneJS actually diverge.

Attributes where CircleCI and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeCircleCIKeystoneJS
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWebNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20112016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 CircleCI

Nothing recorded that KeystoneJS does not also cover.

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.

CircleCI

  • Continuous integration pipelines for application codenot KeystoneJS
  • Parallel test execution across containersnot KeystoneJS
  • Docker-based builds with layer cachingnot KeystoneJS
  • Deployment pipelines with approval gatesnot KeystoneJS
  • Self-hosted runners for private infrastructurenot KeystoneJS

KeystoneJS

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

Where each one falls short

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

CircleCI

  • The free plan covers 6,000 build minutes and 5 active users a month
  • Active users are billed at $15 each beyond the included five, and an active user is anyone who commits to a project
  • Everything runs on credits, so compute, Docker layer caching at 200 credits a job and IP ranges at 450 credits per GB all draw from the same pool
  • Network and storage overage costs 420 credits per GB
  • Free credits expire monthly with no rollover, and paid credits expire after a year
  • Scale is annual billing only

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

CircleCI

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the CircleCI review.

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose CircleCI if

  • You want to start without paying.
CircleCI 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 CircleCI or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. CircleCI 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, CircleCI or KeystoneJS?
CircleCI starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
Does CircleCI or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
CircleCI runs on Web. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use CircleCI for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is CircleCI best used for?
CircleCI is most often used for continuous integration pipelines for application code, parallel test execution across containers, docker-based builds with layer caching, deployment pipelines with approval gates. Of those, continuous integration pipelines for application code and parallel test execution across containers are not what KeystoneJS is typically brought in for.
What can CircleCI do that KeystoneJS cannot?
KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on CircleCI

More on KeystoneJS

Keep looking

Other head to heads