Gridsome vs KeystoneJS

Gridsome and KeystoneJS are both popular options for building websites, but they serve different purposes. Gridsome is a static site generator that focuses on performance and simplicity, while KeystoneJS is a headless CMS that offers a more robust content management system.

General information

Gridsome
KeystoneJS
Introduction :
Gridsome is a modern website development framework for creating fast, secure, and dynamic websites using Vue.js. Launched in 2017, Gridsome is open-source and gaining popularity for its simplicity, performance, and flexibility. It allows developers to build static websites with dynamic capabilities, making it a popular choice for those looking to create high-performing websites with modern technologies.
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.
Advantages :
  • Fast static site generation
  • GraphQL data layer for efficient data fetching
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • SEO-friendly with built-in optimizations
  • Easy integration with headless CMS platforms
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 plugin ecosystem
  • Steeper learning curve compared to WordPress
  • Less community support and resources
  • Limited built-in features compared to Shopify
  • Less flexibility for complex website designs
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 : Thousands
Gridsome is used by thousands of websites, making it a popular choice for developers looking for a modern and efficient static site generator.
Website users : Thousands
KeystoneJS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers for building dynamic web applications.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Gridsome may require some familiarity with Vue.js and GraphQL, but the documentation and community support can help navigate the learning curve.
๐ŸŸก 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.
Year launched : 2017
Gridsome was launched in 2017, making it a relatively new player in the CMS market compared to more established platforms.
Year launched : 2013
KeystoneJS was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website : https://gridsome.org/
Official website : https://keystonejs.com/


Commercial details

Gridsome
KeystoneJS
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Gridsome is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and contribution by the community.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
KeystoneJS is fully open source and written in JavaScript, allowing for complete customization and community contributions.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a free option with basic features, making it a cost-effective choice for those on a budget or looking to test the platform.
โšช Free option : Unknown.
KeystoneJS offers a free option, but the specifics regarding limitations or features of the free plan are unclear.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
KeystoneJS offers a paid option for additional features, hosting, and support, providing users with more comprehensive and tailored solutions.


Platform details

Gridsome
KeystoneJS
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Gridsome does not offer a directly hosted option, but users may find third-party vendors providing hosting services for Gridsome sites.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
KeystoneJS offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
Gridsome can be self-hosted, but details on self-hosting options are not clearly specified. Third-party vendors may offer hosting services.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
KeystoneJS can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome is not inherently headless but can be used as a headless system with plugins and API integrations for decoupled architecture.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
KeystoneJS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development and content management capabilities.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Gridsome natively supports static content generation, allowing for fast and efficient website performance without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก 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.


Key features

Gridsome
KeystoneJS
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome offers content management capabilities through plugins, making it a good platform for managing content with additional customization options.
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
KeystoneJS excels in content management with its native capabilities, offering robust tools for creating, editing, and organizing content efficiently.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome can be enhanced for blogging with plugins like Gridsome Source Filesystem for markdown files, but it's not native to the platform.
๐ŸŸก 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.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Gridsome is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native e-commerce features. However, it can potentially be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions.
๐Ÿ”ด 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.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native support for community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก 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.
โšช Content subscription : Unknown.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls is not a native feature of Gridsome and availability of third-party plugins/extensions is uncertain.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented using third-party plugins/extensions in KeystoneJS, enhancing its functionality in this area.


Other features

Gridsome
KeystoneJS
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved in KeystoneJS through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native multi-language support but can be enhanced with plugins like @gridsome/plugin-i18n for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Multilingual support can be achieved via plugins like keystone-multilingual or keystone-localisation, enhancing native capabilities.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
XML sitemaps can be implemented through a popular 3rd party plugin or extension, enhancing the SEO capabilities of KeystoneJS.


When choosing between Gridsome and KeystoneJS, consider your specific needs. If you prioritize speed and simplicity, Gridsome may be the better option. However, if you require a more comprehensive content management system with advanced features, KeystoneJS could be the right choice for you.