Software · head to head
KeystoneJS vs Kong
KeystoneJS
Software
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Kong
Software
Cloud-native API gateway and service connectivity platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Kong the Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, Kong covers API Gateway.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Kong actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Linux, Docker, Kubernetes |
| Founded | 2016 | 2010 |
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
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Admin interface
- Node.js
- Next.js
- React
- Databases
- Node.js support
Only in Kong
- API Gateway
- Authentication & Authorization
- Rate Limiting
- Kubernetes
- Consul
- Eureka
- PostgreSQL
- Linux 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 Kong
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Kong
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Kong
Kong
- Running an API gateway in front of internal and public servicesnot KeystoneJS
- Publishing and governing APIs through a developer portalnot 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
Kong
- The Plus plan includes 1M API requests a month and charges $200 a month for each additional million
- Plus is capped at 10M requests a month, so growth past that forces an Enterprise contract
- Plus limits published APIs to 20 and includes one Developer Portal, with a second at $200 a month
- SSO and audit logging are Enterprise only
- Enterprise pricing is custom and billed annually
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
Kong
Free- CommunityFree
- Core API gateway
- Community support
- Enterprise$undefined/monthly
- Advanced features
- 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 Kong if
- You need api gateway.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes.
- You also want authentication & authorization.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or Kong better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Kong at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Kong?
- KeystoneJS starts at Free and Kong at Free.
- Does KeystoneJS or Kong run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Kong runs on Linux, Docker, 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 Kong is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that Kong cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Kong covers API Gateway, Authentication & Authorization, Rate Limiting, Kubernetes.