Softwr

Software · head to head

Stoplight vs Strapi

Stoplight logo

Stoplight

Software

API design, documentation, and governance 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: Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • They diverge on capability: Stoplight covers API Design, Strapi covers REST API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stoplight and Strapi actually diverge.

Attributes where Stoplight and Strapi differ
AttributeStoplightStrapi
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, CloudNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20142015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Web support

Only in Strapi

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Webhooks

Both cover

  • Cloud support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot Strapi
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot Strapi

Strapi

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

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

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

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority 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 Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Choose Strapi if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want graphql api.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is Stoplight or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. Stoplight 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, Stoplight or Strapi?
Stoplight starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
Does Stoplight or Strapi run on more platforms?
Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
Can I use Stoplight for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Stoplight best used for?
Stoplight is most often used for designing and documenting openapi specifications visually, serving interactive api docs and instant mock servers from a spec. Of those, designing and documenting openapi specifications visually and serving interactive api docs and instant mock servers from a spec are not what Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can Stoplight do that Strapi cannot?
Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitHub. Strapi covers REST API, GraphQL API, Content management, PostgreSQL. Both handle Cloud support.
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