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API Management · head to head

GraphQL Playground vs KeystoneJS

GraphQL Playground logo

GraphQL Playground

API Management

GraphQL IDE and documentation tool 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 Playground apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
  • They diverge on capability: GraphQL Playground covers Query building, KeystoneJS covers REST API.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where GraphQL Playground and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeGraphQL PlaygroundKeystoneJS
PlatformsWeb, Electron, Self-hostedNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20182016

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 GraphQL Playground

  • Query building
  • Schema introspection
  • Real-time testing
  • GraphQL servers
  • Apollo Studio
  • Custom servers
  • Web support
  • Electron support

Only in KeystoneJS

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Admin interface
  • Node.js
  • Next.js
  • React
  • Databases
  • Node.js support

Both cover

  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

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

GraphQL Playground

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

Where each one falls short

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

GraphQL Playground

  • Apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead

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 Playground

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full GraphQL IDE
    • Community support

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose GraphQL Playground if

  • You need query building.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
  • You also want schema introspection.
GraphQL Playground 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 Playground or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. GraphQL Playground 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 Playground or KeystoneJS?
GraphQL Playground starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
Does GraphQL Playground or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, Self-hosted. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use GraphQL Playground for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GraphQL Playground best used for?
GraphQL Playground 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 Playground do that KeystoneJS cannot?
GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers. KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Both handle Self-hosted support.
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