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APIs · head to head

Hasura vs KeystoneJS

Hasura logo

Hasura

APIs

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

APIs

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hasura active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly; KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite
  • They diverge on capability: Hasura covers Real-time subscriptions, KeystoneJS covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hasura and KeystoneJS actually diverge.

Attributes where Hasura and KeystoneJS differ
AttributeHasuraKeystoneJS
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWebNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20172016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Hasura

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support
  • Docker support

Only in KeystoneJS

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

Both cover

  • GraphQL API
  • Self-hosted support

What people use each for

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

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot KeystoneJS
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot KeystoneJS
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot KeystoneJS
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot KeystoneJS

KeystoneJS

  • Headless CMS implementationnot Hasura
  • Content management systemsnot Hasura
  • Customizable API-driven applicationsnot Hasura

Where each one falls short

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

Hasura

  • Active model definition: model/command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly
  • Private DDN requires Base or Advanced plan

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

Hasura

Free
  • DDN FreeFree
    • Unlimited models
    • 1 supergraph developer
    • 15-minute observability retention
  • DDN Base$5/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Unlimited developers
    • 30-day observability retention
  • DDN Advanced$30/month
    • Per active model billing
    • Federated collaboration
    • Multi-repo CI/CD

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Hasura if

  • You need real-time subscriptions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want access control.
Hasura review

Choose KeystoneJS if

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

Questions people ask

Is Hasura or KeystoneJS better?
Neither clearly leads. Hasura 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, Hasura or KeystoneJS?
Hasura starts at Free and KeystoneJS at Free.
Does Hasura or KeystoneJS run on more platforms?
Hasura runs on Web. KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use Hasura for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hasura best used for?
Hasura is most often used for automatic graphql api generation from existing databases, real-time data subscriptions for modern applications, backend infrastructure for web and mobile applications, event-triggered webhooks for database changes. Of those, automatic graphql api generation from existing databases and real-time data subscriptions for modern applications are not what KeystoneJS is typically brought in for.
What can Hasura do that KeystoneJS cannot?
Hasura covers Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL, MySQL. KeystoneJS covers REST API, Admin interface, Node.js, Next.js. Both handle GraphQL API, Self-hosted support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hasura: How much does Hasura cost?

Hasura DDN Free is free. DDN Base starts at $5/active model/month, and DDN Advanced starts at $30/active model/month.

Source
KeystoneJS: Is KeystoneJS free?

Yes, KeystoneJS is free and open source with no licensing fees. Core platform has no lock-in and is contributed to by 250+ developers.

Source
Hasura: What is an active model in Hasura pricing?

An active model is defined as any model or command accessed more than 1,000 times monthly.

Source
KeystoneJS: What are hosting costs for KeystoneJS?

KeystoneJS is self-hosted and deployment-agnostic. Hosting costs depend on your chosen deployment platform (Vercel, AWS, Heroku, etc.) and infrastructure, not KeystoneJS itself.

Source
Hasura: Is there a free version of Hasura?

Yes, Hasura DDN Free is always free and includes unlimited models, 1 supergraph developer, and 15-minute observability retention.

Source
KeystoneJS: Does KeystoneJS offer paid support?

Enterprise support with tailored options is available from Thinkmill, the company behind KeystoneJS. Pricing details available upon request.

Source
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