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Software · head to head

Groove vs KeystoneJS

Groove logo

Groove

Software

Simple, powerful support for growing businesses

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

Software

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only KeystoneJS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Groove billed per ticket at $1 rather than per agent, so support cost scales with how many customers get in touch; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
  • They diverge on capability: Groove covers Shared inbox, KeystoneJS covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Groove and KeystoneJS actually diverge.

Attributes where Groove and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeGrooveKeystoneJS
Starting price$12/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20112016

Identical on both: 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 Groove

  • Shared inbox
  • Knowledge base
  • Live chat
  • Automation rules
  • Reporting
  • Collision detection
  • Slack
  • Salesforce

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.

Groove

  • Shared inbox and help desk ticketing for small support teamsnot KeystoneJS
  • Handling email, chat and messaging support in one queuenot KeystoneJS

KeystoneJS

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

Where each one falls short

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

Groove

  • Billed per ticket at $1 rather than per agent, so support cost scales with how many customers get in touch
  • A minimum of 250 tickets a month applies, which is a $3,000 annual commitment before any usage
  • A quiet month still pays the 250 ticket floor
  • No mailbox limit is published

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

Groove

$12/month
  • Standard$12/month
    • 1 mailbox
    • Knowledge base
    • Live chat
  • Plus$20/month
    • 5 mailboxes
    • Full reporting
    • Rules
  • Pro$35/month
    • 25 mailboxes
    • Salesforce
    • Enterprise SSO

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Groove if

  • You need shared inbox.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want knowledge base.
Groove 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 Groove or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. Groove starts at $12/month and KeystoneJS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Groove or KeystoneJS?
KeystoneJS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Groove and Free for KeystoneJS.
Does Groove or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
Groove runs on Web, Ios, Android. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use KeystoneJS for free?
Yes. KeystoneJS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Groove starts at $12/month.
What is Groove best used for?
Groove is most often used for shared inbox and help desk ticketing for small support teams, handling email, chat and messaging support in one queue. Of those, shared inbox and help desk ticketing for small support teams and handling email, chat and messaging support in one queue are not what KeystoneJS is typically brought in for.
What can Groove do that KeystoneJS cannot?
Groove covers Shared inbox, Knowledge base, Live chat, Automation rules. KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js.
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Related pages

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