Software · head to head
KeystoneJS vs Paw
KeystoneJS
Software
Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Paw
Software
Full-featured REST client for macOS with powerful scripting and testing
- From
- $99/one-time
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only KeystoneJS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Paw now distributed as RapidAPI for Mac; the vendor's own page states it is "exclusively built for macOS" and requires macOS 10.15+, with no Windows or Linux client
- They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, Paw covers REST Client.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Paw actually diverge.
| Attribute | KeystoneJS | Paw |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $99/one-time |
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | MacOS |
| Founded | 2016 | 2013 |
Identical on both: 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 Paw
- REST Client
- Scripting
- Dynamic Values
- Slack
- GitHub
- Custom extensions
- MacOS 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 Paw
- Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Paw
- Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Paw
Paw
- 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
Paw
- Now distributed as RapidAPI for Mac; the vendor's own page states it is "exclusively built for macOS" and requires macOS 10.15+, with no Windows or Linux client
Pricing, plan by plan
KeystoneJS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full KeystoneJS
- Community support
Paw
$99/one-time- Standard$99/one-time
- Full REST client
- Advanced scripting
- Extensions
- Annual License$49/yearly
- All features
- Updates
- Priority 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.
Questions people ask
- Is KeystoneJS or Paw better?
- Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Paw at $99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Paw?
- KeystoneJS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KeystoneJS and $99/one-time for Paw.
- Does KeystoneJS or Paw run on more platforms?
- KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Paw runs on MacOS.
- Can I use KeystoneJS for free?
- Yes. KeystoneJS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paw starts at $99/one-time.
- 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 Paw is typically brought in for.
- What can KeystoneJS do that Paw cannot?
- KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js. Paw covers REST Client, Scripting, Dynamic Values, Slack.