API Management · head to head
KeystoneJS vs Gravitee
KeystoneJS
API Management
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Gravitee
API Management
Open source API management platform for event-native APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Gravitee the entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, Gravitee covers API Gateway.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Gravitee actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | Gravitee |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes |
| Founded | 2016 | 2015 |
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 Gravitee
- API Gateway
- Developer Portal
- Analytics Dashboard
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- Kafka
- LDAP
- 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 Gravitee
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Gravitee
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Gravitee
Gravitee
- API gateway and lifecycle managementnot KeystoneJS
- Exposing Kafka event streams as managed APIsnot KeystoneJS
- Protocol mediation between event brokers and clientsnot KeystoneJS
- Self-hosting an open source API gatewaynot KeystoneJS
- Access control and authentication in front of internal APIsnot 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
Gravitee
- The entry paid API management tier is $2,500 a month and includes a single production gateway
- Event management is priced separately, starting at $1,250 a month for the Comet tier
- Tiers are gated on gateway and broker counts, so scaling horizontally means moving tier rather than paying incrementally
- Data logging masking and other enterprise features are withheld from the lowest paid tier
- 24/7 support requires the top Universe tier
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
Gravitee
Free- CommunityFree
- API Gateway
- Basic analytics
- Community support
- Enterprise$1500/monthly
- Advanced features
- SLA support
- SSO integration
- Custom$undefined/monthly
- Custom deployment
- Dedicated support
- Premium 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 Gravitee if
- You need api gateway.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
- You also want developer portal.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or Gravitee better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Gravitee at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Gravitee?
- KeystoneJS starts at Free and Gravitee at Free.
- Does KeystoneJS or Gravitee run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Gravitee runs on Cloud, On-premise, Kubernetes.
- 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 Gravitee is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that Gravitee cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Gravitee covers API Gateway, Developer Portal, Analytics Dashboard, Kubernetes.