Softwr

API Management · head to head

KeystoneJS vs AWS API Gateway

KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

API Management

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AWS API Gateway logo

AWS API Gateway

API Management

Fully managed API gateway service for creating and managing APIs at scale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; AWS API Gateway rEST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer
  • They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, AWS API Gateway covers REST APIs.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and AWS API Gateway actually diverge.

Attributes where KeystoneJS and AWS API Gateway differ
AttributeKeystoneJSAWS API Gateway
Pricing modelopen-sourceusage-based
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedAWS Cloud
Founded20162006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 KeystoneJS

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

Only in AWS API Gateway

  • REST APIs
  • WebSocket APIs
  • HTTP APIs
  • Lambda
  • EC2
  • DynamoDB
  • CloudWatch
  • IAM

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 AWS API Gateway
  • Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot AWS API Gateway
  • Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot AWS API Gateway

AWS API Gateway

  • Fronting Lambda functions with an HTTP endpointnot KeystoneJS
  • REST and HTTP API management with throttling and keysnot KeystoneJS
  • WebSocket APIs for real-time clientsnot KeystoneJS
  • Private APIs reachable only inside a VPCnot KeystoneJS
  • Publishing a developer portal for API consumersnot 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

AWS API Gateway

  • REST APIs cost $3.50 per million calls against $1.00 for HTTP APIs, so the older and more featureful type is three and a half times dearer
  • Data transfer out is charged at $0.09 per GB on top of request pricing
  • WebSocket APIs bill connection minutes as well as messages, at $0.25 per million minutes
  • Private APIs avoid data transfer charges but incur AWS PrivateLink costs instead
  • The developer portal is $125 a month, with additional portal products at $12.50 each
  • The free tier lasts 12 months rather than being ongoing

Pricing, plan by plan

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

AWS API Gateway

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1M requests per month
    • Basic API management
  • Pay-as-you-go$3.5/per 1M requests
    • Unlimited requests
    • HTTP APIs
    • REST APIs

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.
KeystoneJS review

Choose AWS API Gateway if

  • You need rest apis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on AWS Cloud.
  • You also want websocket apis.
AWS API Gateway review

Questions people ask

Is KeystoneJS or AWS API Gateway better?
Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and AWS API Gateway at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or AWS API Gateway?
KeystoneJS starts at Free and AWS API Gateway at Free.
Does KeystoneJS or AWS API Gateway run on more platforms?
KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. AWS API Gateway runs on AWS Cloud.
Can I use KeystoneJS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 AWS API Gateway is typically brought in for.
What can KeystoneJS do that AWS API Gateway cannot?
KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. AWS API Gateway covers REST APIs, WebSocket APIs, HTTP APIs, Lambda.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on KeystoneJS

More on AWS API Gateway

Keep looking

Other head to heads