API Management · head to head
KeystoneJS vs GraphQL Apollo
KeystoneJS
API Management
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
GraphQL Apollo
API Management
Complete platform for building GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; GraphQL Apollo standard and Enterprise tiers publish no figures and require contacting sales through a Talk to Sales link, while paid usage is metered at $5 per million requests rather than by seat
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and GraphQL Apollo actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | GraphQL Apollo |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management), founded (2016).
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
- Self-hosted support
Only in GraphQL Apollo
- Apollo Server
- Apollo Client
- GraphQL Federation
- REST APIs
- Microservices
- JavaScript support
- Web support
- Mobile support
Both cover
- Databases
- Node.js 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 GraphQL Apollo
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot GraphQL Apollo
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot GraphQL Apollo
GraphQL Apollo
- API Developmentnot KeystoneJS
- API Gatewaynot KeystoneJS
- API Testingnot KeystoneJS
- API Documentationnot KeystoneJS
- Microservicesnot 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
GraphQL Apollo
- Standard and Enterprise tiers publish no figures and require contacting sales through a Talk to Sales link, while paid usage is metered at $5 per million requests rather than by seat
- Developer plan caps at 10 users and Standard caps at 30 users before requiring the sales-gated Enterprise tier
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
GraphQL Apollo
Free- CommunityFree
- Apollo Server
- Apollo Client
- Community support
- Studio Starter$49/monthly
- Apollo Studio
- GraphQL monitoring
- Collaboration
- Studio Professional$399/monthly
- Advanced analytics
- Priority support
- SLA
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 GraphQL Apollo if
- You need apollo server.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile.
- You also want apollo client.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or GraphQL Apollo better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and GraphQL Apollo at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or GraphQL Apollo?
- KeystoneJS starts at Free and GraphQL Apollo at Free.
- Does KeystoneJS or GraphQL Apollo run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. GraphQL Apollo runs on JavaScript, Node.js, Web, Mobile.
- 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 GraphQL Apollo is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that GraphQL Apollo cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. GraphQL Apollo covers Apollo Server, Apollo Client, GraphQL Federation, REST APIs. Both handle Databases, Node.js support.