API Management · head to head
KeystoneJS vs Akana
KeystoneJS
API Management
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Akana
API Management
Enterprise API lifecycle management platform
- From
- $2500/monthly
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only KeystoneJS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Akana owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, Akana covers API Lifecycle Management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Akana actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | Akana |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $2500/monthly |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid |
| Founded | 2016 | 2001 |
Identical on both: 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 KeystoneJS
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Admin interface
- Node.js
- Next.js
- React
- Databases
- Node.js support
Only in Akana
- API Lifecycle Management
- API Security
- Governance Controls
- OAuth
- SAML
- LDAP
- Active Directory
- Cloud support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
KeystoneJS
- Building a headless CMS with a GraphQL API from a TypeScript schemanot Akana
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Akana
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Akana
Akana
- API lifecycle management across REST, SOAP and GraphQLnot KeystoneJS
- Applying OAuth, JWT and SAML policies at the gatewaynot KeystoneJS
- Running the same platform on-premises, in Kubernetes or across cloudsnot KeystoneJS
- Developer portal and API monetisationnot KeystoneJS
- Monitoring API traffic and enforcing quotasnot KeystoneJS
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Akana
- Owned by Perforce and sold within their portfolio rather than independently, and akana.com redirects to perforce.com
- Pricing is not published; only a 30 day trial is offered
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
Akana
$2500/monthly- Professional$2500/monthly
- API Gateway
- Developer Portal
- Basic analytics
- Enterprise$5000/monthly
- Advanced governance
- Multi-cloud support
- Premium support
- Custom$undefined/monthly
- Custom solutions
- Dedicated support
- SLA guarantee
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Akana if
- You need api lifecycle management.
- You work on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
- You also want api security.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or Akana better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Akana at $2500/monthly, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Akana?
- KeystoneJS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KeystoneJS and $2500/monthly for Akana.
- Does KeystoneJS or Akana run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Akana runs on Cloud, On-premise, Hybrid.
- Can I use KeystoneJS for free?
- Yes. KeystoneJS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akana starts at $2500/monthly.
- What is KeystoneJS best used for?
- KeystoneJS is most often used for building a headless cms with a graphql api from a typescript schema, generating a configurable admin ui for editors, adding structured rich text content with the document field. Of those, building a headless cms with a graphql api from a typescript schema and generating a configurable admin ui for editors are not what Akana is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that Akana cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Akana covers API Lifecycle Management, API Security, Governance Controls, OAuth.