API Management · head to head
KeystoneJS vs Logto

KeystoneJS
API Management
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -

Logto
Identity & Access Management
Open-source identity and authentication infrastructure for apps and APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Logto advanced features like RBAC, organizations, MFA, and enterprise SSO are billed as separate paid add-ons rather than included in Pro.
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, Logto covers Prebuilt sign-in UI.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Logto actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | Logto |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | web, api |
| Category | API Management | Identity & Access Management |
| Founded | 2016 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
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 Logto
- Prebuilt sign-in UI
- Social connectors
- Role-based access control
- Multi-factor authentication
- Machine-to-machine apps
- Audit logs
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 Logto
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Logto
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Logto
Logto
- Adding sign-in to a new SaaS productnot KeystoneJS
- Implementing SSO for B2B customersnot KeystoneJS
- Securing internal APIs with M2M tokensnot KeystoneJS
- Adding RBAC and organizations to a multi-tenant appnot 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
Logto
- Advanced features like RBAC, organizations, MFA, and enterprise SSO are billed as separate paid add-ons rather than included in Pro.
- Enterprise pricing is not published and requires contacting sales.
- Token-based billing can make cost forecasting harder than flat per-MAU pricing for high-traffic apps.
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
Logto
Free- FreeFree
- Up to 50,000 MAU
- 50K tokens included
- 3 applications
- Pro$24/month
- Unlimited MAU and applications
- 3 included API resources
- Passkey sign-in
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 Logto if
- You need prebuilt sign-in ui.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web, api.
- You also want social connectors.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or Logto better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Logto at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Logto?
- KeystoneJS starts at Free and Logto at Free.
- Does KeystoneJS or Logto run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Logto runs on web, api.
- 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 Logto is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that Logto cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Logto covers Prebuilt sign-in UI, Social connectors, Role-based access control, Multi-factor authentication.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Logto: What does Logto cost?
Logto offers a Free plan at $0/month, a Pro plan starting at $24/month with 50K free tokens included, and a custom-priced Enterprise plan. Extra add-ons like RBAC or MFA are billed separately on Pro.
SourceLogto: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?
Yes. The Free plan supports up to 50,000 monthly active users, 3 total applications, 1 machine-to-machine app, 3 social connectors, 1 webhook, and 3-day audit log retention.
SourceLogto: How is usage metered?
Logto uses token-based billing: only access tokens issued for authentication and authorization activity are counted, rather than charging purely per MAU.
SourceRelated pages
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- Logto vs Apigee
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- Logto vs Pusher
- Logto vs Kong Gateway
- Logto vs PubNub
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