Softwr

API Management · head to head

GraphQL Apollo vs KeystoneJS

GraphQL Apollo logo

GraphQL Apollo

API Management

Complete platform for building 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: GraphQL Apollo standard and Enterprise tiers publish no figures and require contacting sales through a Talk to Sales link, while paid usage is metered at $5 per million requests rather than by seat; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, KeystoneJS covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GraphQL Apollo and KeystoneJS actually diverge.

Attributes where GraphQL Apollo and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeGraphQL ApolloKeystoneJS
PlatformsJavaScript, Node.js, Web, MobileNode.js, Self-hosted

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management), founded (2016).

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 GraphQL Apollo

  • Apollo Server
  • Apollo Client
  • GraphQL Federation
  • REST APIs
  • Microservices
  • JavaScript support
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

Only in KeystoneJS

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Admin interface
  • Node.js
  • Next.js
  • React
  • Self-hosted support

Both cover

  • Databases
  • Node.js support

What people use each for

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

GraphQL Apollo

  • 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 GraphQL Apollo
  • Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot GraphQL Apollo
  • Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot GraphQL Apollo

Where each one falls short

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

GraphQL Apollo

  • Standard and Enterprise tiers publish no figures and require contacting sales through a Talk to Sales link, while paid usage is metered at $5 per million requests rather than by seat
  • Developer plan caps at 10 users and Standard caps at 30 users before requiring the sales-gated Enterprise tier

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

GraphQL Apollo

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Apollo Server
    • Apollo Client
    • Community support
  • Studio Starter$49/monthly
    • Apollo Studio
    • GraphQL monitoring
    • Collaboration
  • Studio Professional$399/monthly
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support
    • SLA

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose GraphQL Apollo if

  • You need apollo server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want apollo client.
GraphQL Apollo 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 GraphQL Apollo or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Apollo 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, GraphQL Apollo or KeystoneJS?
GraphQL Apollo starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
Does GraphQL Apollo or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
GraphQL Apollo runs on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use GraphQL Apollo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GraphQL Apollo best used for?
GraphQL Apollo 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 GraphQL Apollo do that KeystoneJS cannot?
GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, Apollo Client, GraphQL Federation, REST APIs. KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Both handle Databases, Node.js support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on GraphQL Apollo

More on KeystoneJS

Keep looking

Other head to heads