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API Management · head to head

Directus vs KeystoneJS

Directus logo

Directus

API Management

Open-source data platform providing REST and GraphQL APIs

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: Directus free permissive use of the self hosted product is limited to organisations under $5M annual revenue with fewer than 50 employees, so crossing either threshold turns a free dependency into a paid licence; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
  • They diverge on capability: Directus covers Database management, KeystoneJS covers Admin interface.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Directus and KeystoneJS actually diverge.

Attributes where Directus and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeDirectusKeystoneJS
PlatformsNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, DockerNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20142016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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 Directus

  • Database management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud support
  • Docker support

Only in KeystoneJS

  • Admin interface
  • Node.js
  • Next.js
  • React
  • Databases

Both cover

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Directus

  • Wrapping an existing SQL database in a REST and GraphQL API with an admin interfacenot KeystoneJS
  • Running a self hosted headless CMS over a schema you already ownnot KeystoneJS

KeystoneJS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Directus

  • Free permissive use of the self hosted product is limited to organisations under $5M annual revenue with fewer than 50 employees, so crossing either threshold turns a free dependency into a paid licence
  • The free Core tier is a hard limit of 3 seats, 25 collections and 5 flows
  • The Team plan is $499 a month billed annually, or $599 monthly, with extra seats at $50 each
  • Team caps collections at 50, expandable to 100, and flows at 20

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

Directus

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Directus
    • Community support
  • Cloud$25/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Automatic updates
    • Backups

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Directus if

  • You need database management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want postgresql.
Directus review

Choose KeystoneJS if

  • You need admin interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Self-hosted.
  • You also want node.js.
KeystoneJS review

Questions people ask

Is Directus or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. Directus 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, Directus or KeystoneJS?
Directus starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
Does Directus or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
Directus runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use Directus for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Directus best used for?
Directus is most often used for wrapping an existing sql database in a rest and graphql api with an admin interface, running a self hosted headless cms over a schema you already own. Of those, wrapping an existing sql database in a rest and graphql api with an admin interface and running a self hosted headless cms over a schema you already own are not what KeystoneJS is typically brought in for.
What can Directus do that KeystoneJS cannot?
Directus covers Database management, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite. KeystoneJS covers Admin interface, Node.js, Next.js, React. Both handle REST API, GraphQL API, Node.js support, Self-hosted support.
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