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Keystone

Open-source Node.js headless CMS that generates a GraphQL API and admin UI from your schema.

Open sourceSelf-hostableContent management systems
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About Keystone

Keystone is an open-source headless CMS and application framework for Node.js, maintained by the Australian consultancy Thinkmill and released under the MIT licence. You define lists and fields in a TypeScript schema, and Keystone generates a GraphQL API, a database layer through Prisma for PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQLite, and an admin UI for editors. Access control, hooks, relationships, a rich document field and custom admin pages let it serve as the backend for websites, apps and internal tools. It suits developers who want the backend defined in code with strong typing and full control over hosting. The trade-offs are a smaller community and slower release pace than Strapi or Payload, GraphQL as the main API, and an admin UI that is functional rather than polished for marketing teams. Hosting and scaling are entirely up to you. It runs anywhere Node.js does.

Best for: Node.js developers who want a code-defined GraphQL backend with an admin UI.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Schema in TypeScript generates API and admin
  • Strong access control and hooks
  • MIT-licensed and free

Why people leave

  • Smaller community and slower releases than rivals
  • GraphQL-centric API
  • Admin UI is basic for marketing teams

Top Keystone alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Payload logo
    Payload

    Similar code-first TypeScript CMS with REST, GraphQL and a richer admin.

    66.5
  2. 2Strapi logo
    Strapi

    Larger community and a GUI content-type builder.

    62.6
  3. 3Directus logo
    Directus

    Admin and APIs over an existing SQL database without code.

    59.6
  4. 4Keystatic logo
    Keystatic

    Thinkmill's file-based CMS for content sites without a database.

    57.2
  5. 5Sanity logo
    Sanity

    Hosted content platform with no servers to manage.

    55.3

Why people left Keystone

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Keystone: common questions

Is Keystone free?

Yes. Keystone is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.

Is Keystone open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at keystonejs/keystone. You can also run it on your own server.

What platforms does Keystone run on?

Keystone is available for Self-hosted and Web.

What are the best alternatives to Keystone?

The highest-ranked Keystone alternatives right now are Payload, Strapi and Directus. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Keystone alternatives