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KeystoneJS vs Speakeasy

KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

Software

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Speakeasy logo

Speakeasy

Software

AI control plane for governing enterprise agents, MCP servers, and skills

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; Speakeasy no self-serve pricing is published; every plan requires a sales conversation.
  • They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers REST API, Speakeasy covers AI tool catalog.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Speakeasy actually diverge.

Attributes where KeystoneJS and Speakeasy differ
AttributeKeystoneJSSpeakeasy
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedweb, api
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 Speakeasy

  • AI tool catalog
  • Per-agent identity
  • Role-based access control
  • Real-time policy enforcement
  • Audit logging
  • MDM and SSO integration

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

Speakeasy

  • Governing AI agents at enterprise scalenot KeystoneJS
  • Preventing shadow AI tool sprawlnot KeystoneJS
  • Enforcing least-privilege access for agentsnot KeystoneJS
  • Auditing AI tool call activity for compliancenot 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

Speakeasy

  • No self-serve pricing is published; every plan requires a sales conversation.
  • The product pivoted away from its original SDK-generation offering, so past documentation and customers built on that use case are no longer the focus.
  • Requires integration with an existing identity provider such as Okta or Entra ID to be useful, so it is not a standalone solution.
  • No published free tier or trial pricing was found.

Pricing, plan by plan

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Speakeasy

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Custom pricing
    • AI tool catalog and visibility
    • Per-agent identity and access control

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 Speakeasy if

  • You need ai tool catalog.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want per-agent identity.
Speakeasy review

Questions people ask

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