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API Management · head to head

KeystoneJS vs Portkey

KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

API Management

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
P

Portkey

API Management

Observe, govern, and secure every AI interaction across your enterprise

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Portkey the free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Portkey actually diverge.

Attributes where KeystoneJS and Portkey differ
AttributeKeystoneJSPortkey
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedWeb
Founded2016Unknown

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 Portkey

Nothing recorded that KeystoneJS does not also cover.

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 Portkey
  • Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Portkey
  • Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Portkey

Portkey

No use cases recorded yet. See the Portkey review.

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

Portkey

  • The free Developer tier records only 10,000 logs per month with 3 day log retention; the $49 per month Production tier raises that to 100,000 logs with $9 per additional 100,000 requests, as of August 2026.

Pricing, plan by plan

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Portkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Portkey review.

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.
KeystoneJS review

Choose Portkey if

  • You want to start without paying.
Portkey review

Questions people ask

Is KeystoneJS or Portkey better?
Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Portkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Portkey?
KeystoneJS starts at Free and Portkey at Free.
Does KeystoneJS or Portkey run on more platforms?
KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Portkey runs on Web.
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 Portkey is typically brought in for.
What can KeystoneJS do that Portkey cannot?
KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js.
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