Discourse vs KeystoneJS
Please select two different options.
Discourse and KeystoneJS are both powerful content management systems, but they cater to different needs. Discourse is primarily a forum platform focused on community engagement and discussion, while KeystoneJS is a versatile headless CMS that offers more flexibility for building custom websites and applications.
General information
Discourse
KeystoneJS
Introduction :
Discourse is a modern, open-source platform for online community discussions. Launched in 2013, it has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and active community support. With a focus on fostering meaningful conversations and promoting user engagement, Discourse is a preferred choice for many organizations and websites looking to build vibrant online communities.
Discourse is a modern, open-source platform for online community discussions. Launched in 2013, it has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and active community support. With a focus on fostering meaningful conversations and promoting user engagement, Discourse is a preferred choice for many organizations and websites looking to build vibrant online communities.
Introduction :
KeystoneJS is a powerful open-source content management system and web application framework that was launched in 2013. It is popular for its flexibility, ease of use, and robust features such as database management, authentication, and dynamic routing. KeystoneJS is widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications, making it a popular choice among developers looking for a scalable and customizable platform.
KeystoneJS is a powerful open-source content management system and web application framework that was launched in 2013. It is popular for its flexibility, ease of use, and robust features such as database management, authentication, and dynamic routing. KeystoneJS is widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications, making it a popular choice among developers looking for a scalable and customizable platform.
Advantages :
- Easy to use interface for beginners
- Strong community support for troubleshooting
- Customizable with various plugins and themes
- Regular updates for security and performance
- Integration with popular third-party tools and services
Advantages :
- Easy to use and customize
- Built-in user authentication and access control
- Flexible content modeling with schemas
- Active community and support
- Scalable for large projects
Disadvantages :
- Limited customization options
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Lack of built-in SEO features
- Limited plugin and theme options
- Higher cost compared to some competitors
Disadvantages :
- Limited theme options
- Steeper learning curve compared to some
- Less community support than WordPress
- Not as customizable as other platforms
- Limited plugins and extensions available
Website users : Over 30% of websites
Discourse is a popular platform used by a significant portion of websites, making it a widely adopted choice for online discussions.
Discourse is a popular platform used by a significant portion of websites, making it a widely adopted choice for online discussions.
Website users : Thousands
KeystoneJS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers for building dynamic web applications.
KeystoneJS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers for building dynamic web applications.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Discourse has a user-friendly interface and clear documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
Discourse has a user-friendly interface and clear documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
KeystoneJS requires some familiarity with Node.js and MongoDB, making it average in terms of ease of getting started compared to other CMS platforms.
KeystoneJS requires some familiarity with Node.js and MongoDB, making it average in terms of ease of getting started compared to other CMS platforms.
Year launched : 2013
Discourse was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Discourse was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Year launched : 2013
KeystoneJS was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
KeystoneJS was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website :
https://www.discourse.org/
Official website :
https://keystonejs.com/
Commercial details
Discourse
KeystoneJS
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Discourse is partially open source, with the core software being open but some features requiring a paid license for full access.
Discourse is partially open source, with the core software being open but some features requiring a paid license for full access.
🟢 Open source : Fully.
KeystoneJS is fully open source and written in JavaScript, allowing for complete customization and community contributions.
KeystoneJS is fully open source and written in JavaScript, allowing for complete customization and community contributions.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Discourse offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features compared to paid plans, making it a cost-effective choice for smaller communities.
Discourse offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features compared to paid plans, making it a cost-effective choice for smaller communities.
⚪ Free option : Unknown.
KeystoneJS offers a free option, but the specifics regarding limitations or features of the free plan are unclear.
KeystoneJS offers a free option, but the specifics regarding limitations or features of the free plan are unclear.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Discourse offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance options.
Discourse offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance options.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
KeystoneJS offers a paid option for additional features, hosting, and support, providing users with more comprehensive and tailored solutions.
KeystoneJS offers a paid option for additional features, hosting, and support, providing users with more comprehensive and tailored solutions.
Platform details
Discourse
KeystoneJS
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may vary depending on the platform, with some offering both free and paid hosting services through different vendors.
Hosted options may vary depending on the platform, with some offering both free and paid hosting services through different vendors.
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
KeystoneJS offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services.
KeystoneJS offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Discourse through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
Self-hosting is possible with Discourse through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
KeystoneJS can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
KeystoneJS can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
⚪ Headless CMS : Unknown.
Discourse does not have native headless support, but it may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed.
Discourse does not have native headless support, but it may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
KeystoneJS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development and content management capabilities.
KeystoneJS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development and content management capabilities.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
Discourse does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible in KeystoneJS through plugins, offering flexibility for users to generate static content if needed.
Static content generation is possible in KeystoneJS through plugins, offering flexibility for users to generate static content if needed.
Key features
Discourse
KeystoneJS
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers content management capabilities through plugins, providing additional functionality for managing content on the platform.
Discourse offers content management capabilities through plugins, providing additional functionality for managing content on the platform.
🟢 Content management : Support natively.
KeystoneJS excels in content management with its native capabilities, offering robust tools for creating, editing, and organizing content efficiently.
KeystoneJS excels in content management with its native capabilities, offering robust tools for creating, editing, and organizing content efficiently.
🔴 Blogging : Not supported.
Discourse is primarily a forum platform, lacking key features for traditional blogging such as customizable themes and SEO optimization.
Discourse is primarily a forum platform, lacking key features for traditional blogging such as customizable themes and SEO optimization.
🟡 Blogging : Supported via plugin.
KeystoneJS can be used for blogging with the help of plugins like keystone-blog, offering basic blogging functionality but may require additional customization.
KeystoneJS can be used for blogging with the help of plugins like keystone-blog, offering basic blogging functionality but may require additional customization.
🔴 E-commerce : Not supported.
Discourse is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for product listings, transactions, and order management.
Discourse is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for product listings, transactions, and order management.
🔴 E-commerce : Not supported.
KeystoneJS is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for online stores. It may require extensive customization or integration with third-party plugins.
KeystoneJS is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for online stores. It may require extensive customization or integration with third-party plugins.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers robust community features but may require additional plugins for specific functionalities compared to other platforms.
Discourse offers robust community features but may require additional plugins for specific functionalities compared to other platforms.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
KeystoneJS can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options.
KeystoneJS can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
Discourse does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented using third-party plugins/extensions in KeystoneJS, enhancing its functionality in this area.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented using third-party plugins/extensions in KeystoneJS, enhancing its functionality in this area.
Other features
Discourse
KeystoneJS
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support multi-site natively but can be enabled through third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.
Discourse does not support multi-site natively but can be enabled through third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved in KeystoneJS through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved in KeystoneJS through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
🟢 Multi-language : Support natively.
Discourse supports multi-language natively, allowing for seamless content translation and localization without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
Discourse supports multi-language natively, allowing for seamless content translation and localization without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Multilingual support can be achieved via plugins like keystone-multilingual or keystone-localisation, enhancing native capabilities.
Multilingual support can be achieved via plugins like keystone-multilingual or keystone-localisation, enhancing native capabilities.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins for this functionality.
Discourse does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins for this functionality.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be implemented through a popular 3rd party plugin or extension, enhancing the SEO capabilities of KeystoneJS.
XML sitemaps can be implemented through a popular 3rd party plugin or extension, enhancing the SEO capabilities of KeystoneJS.
When choosing between Discourse and KeystoneJS, consider the specific requirements of your project. If you need a robust forum platform for fostering online discussions, Discourse is the way to go. On the other hand, if you require a flexible CMS for building custom websites and applications, KeystoneJS provides the tools and customization options you need. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your project goals and priorities.