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Software · head to head

KeystoneJS vs Strapi

KeystoneJS logo

KeystoneJS

Software

Powerful Node.js headless CMS framework and API platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Strapi logo

Strapi

Software

Headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: KeystoneJS database support is limited to PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • They diverge on capability: KeystoneJS covers Admin interface, Strapi covers Content management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KeystoneJS and Strapi actually diverge.

Attributes where KeystoneJS and Strapi differ
AttributeKeystoneJSStrapi
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20162015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), free tier (Yes), 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

  • Admin interface
  • Node.js
  • Next.js
  • React
  • Databases

Only in Strapi

  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted 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 Strapi
  • Generating a configurable Admin UI for editorsnot Strapi
  • Adding structured rich text content with the document fieldnot Strapi

Strapi

  • Running a self hosted headless CMS with a REST or GraphQL APInot KeystoneJS
  • Giving editors a content admin panel over a custom content modelnot 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

Strapi

  • Cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • Starter at $35 a month allows 100,000 API requests, and overage is $1.50 per 25,000
  • Extra bandwidth is $30 per 100 GB and extra asset storage $0.60 per GB
  • Backups start at the Pro plan, weekly, and only become daily at Business
  • An uptime SLA is Business only, at $450 a month per project
  • Additional environments cost $60 a month on Pro and $300 a month on Business

Pricing, plan by plan

KeystoneJS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full KeystoneJS
    • Community support

Strapi

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Strapi
    • Community support
  • Pro$99/monthly
    • Cloud hosting
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
  • Business$undefined/monthly
    • Enterprise features
    • Custom SLA
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose KeystoneJS if

  • You need admin interface.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Self-hosted.
  • You also want node.js.
KeystoneJS review

Choose Strapi if

  • You need content management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want postgresql.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is KeystoneJS or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. KeystoneJS starts at Free and Strapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KeystoneJS or Strapi?
KeystoneJS starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
Does KeystoneJS or Strapi run on more platforms?
KeystoneJS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
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 Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can KeystoneJS do that Strapi cannot?
KeystoneJS covers Admin interface, Node.js, Next.js, React. Strapi covers Content management, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB. Both handle REST API, GraphQL API, Node.js support, Self-hosted support.
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