API Management · head to head
KeystoneJS vs GraphQL Playground
KeystoneJS
API Management
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
GraphQL Playground
API Management
GraphQL IDE and documentation tool 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 Playground apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL Playground covers Query building.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and GraphQL Playground actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | GraphQL Playground |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Web, Electron, Self-hosted |
| Founded | 2016 | 2018 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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 GraphQL Playground
- Query building
- Schema introspection
- Real-time testing
- GraphQL servers
- Apollo Studio
- Custom servers
- Web support
- Electron support
Both cover
- 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 GraphQL Playground
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot GraphQL Playground
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot GraphQL Playground
GraphQL Playground
- 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 Playground
- Apollo's own documentation states GraphQL Playground is officially retired and no longer recommended, directing users to Apollo Sandbox instead
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
GraphQL Playground
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full GraphQL IDE
- Community support
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 Playground if
- You need query building.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
- You also want schema introspection.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or GraphQL Playground better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or GraphQL Playground?
- KeystoneJS starts at Free and GraphQL Playground at Free.
- Does KeystoneJS or GraphQL Playground run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. GraphQL Playground runs on Web, Electron, Self-hosted.
- 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 Playground is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that GraphQL Playground cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. GraphQL Playground covers Query building, Schema introspection, Real-time testing, GraphQL servers. Both handle Self-hosted support.