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KeystoneJS vs Directus

KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

Software

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Directus logo

Directus

Software

Open-source data platform providing REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Directus free permissive use of the self hosted product is limited to organisations under $5M annual revenue with fewer than 50 employees, so crossing either threshold turns a free dependency into a paid licence
  • They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers Admin interface, Directus covers Database management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Directus actually diverge.

Attributes where KeystoneJS and Directus differ
AttributeKeystoneJSDirectus
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20162014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), 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 KeystoneJS

  • Admin interface
  • Node.js
  • Next.js
  • React
  • Databases

Only in Directus

  • Database management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted 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 Directus
  • Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Directus
  • Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Directus

Directus

  • Wrapping an existing SQL database in a REST and GraphQL API with an admin interfacenot KeystoneJS
  • Running a self hosted headless CMS over a schema you already ownnot 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

Directus

  • Free permissive use of the self hosted product is limited to organisations under $5M annual revenue with fewer than 50 employees, so crossing either threshold turns a free dependency into a paid licence
  • The free Core tier is a hard limit of 3 seats, 25 collections and 5 flows
  • The Team plan is $499 a month billed annually, or $599 monthly, with extra seats at $50 each
  • Team caps collections at 50, expandable to 100, and flows at 20

Pricing, plan by plan

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Directus

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Directus
    • Community support
  • Cloud$25/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Automatic updates
    • Backups

Which should you pick?

Choose KeystoneJS if

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

Choose Directus if

  • You need database management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want postgresql.
Directus review

Questions people ask

Is KeystoneJS or Directus better?
Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Directus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Directus?
KeystoneJS starts at Free and Directus at Free.
Does KeystoneJS or Directus run on more platforms?
KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Directus runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
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 Directus is typically brought in for.
What can KeystoneJS do that Directus cannot?
KeystoneJS covers Admin interface, Node.js, Next.js, React. Directus covers Database management, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite. Both handle REST API, GraphQL API, Node.js support, Self-hosted support.
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