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KeystoneJS vs SamCart

KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

Software

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SamCart

Software

The number one checkout platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; SamCart plans start at $79 per month, and features like subscription saver and A/B testing are reserved for the higher $199 per month Scale tier

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and SamCart actually diverge.

Attributes where KeystoneJS and SamCart differ
AttributeKeystoneJSSamCart
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedWeb
Founded2016Unknown

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 SamCart

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

SamCart

No use cases recorded yet. See the SamCart 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

SamCart

  • Plans start at $79 per month, and features like subscription saver and A/B testing are reserved for the higher $199 per month Scale tier

Pricing, plan by plan

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

SamCart

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the SamCart 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 SamCart if

Nothing in the data separates SamCart from KeystoneJS on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

SamCart review

Questions people ask

Is KeystoneJS or SamCart better?
Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and SamCart at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or SamCart?
KeystoneJS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for KeystoneJS and On request for SamCart.
Does KeystoneJS or SamCart run on more platforms?
KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. SamCart runs on Web.
Can I use KeystoneJS for free?
Yes. KeystoneJS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SamCart starts at On request.
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 SamCart is typically brought in for.
What can KeystoneJS do that SamCart cannot?
KeystoneJS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Admin interface, Node.js.
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