Keystatic vs DatoCMS: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Keystatic and DatoCMS comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Keystatic
Content management for your codebase, making Markdown, JSON, and YAML editable by humans.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need cms features specifically
- • Manages content (Markdown, JSON, YAML) directly in your codebase.
- • Offers a CMS-like Admin UI for human-friendly content editing.
DatoCMS
Headless CMS for modern web projects
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need content marketing features specifically
- • Headless CMS with excellent image handling
- • Strong GraphQL and multi-environment support
| At a Glance |  Keystatic |  DatoCMS |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | CMS | Content Marketing |
Rating | —/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Keystatic | DatoCMS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CMSHeadless CMS | Content MarketingDigital Asset Management |
How Keystatic and DatoCMS Compare
Keystatic
Content management for your codebase, making Markdown, JSON, and YAML editable by humans.
Free
DatoCMS
Headless CMS for modern web projects
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Keystatic is a cms tool. DatoCMS is in content marketing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Keystatic is free. DatoCMS is freemium.
Go with: Keystatic
Want the highest-rated option?
DatoCMS scores 85/100. Keystatic is unrated.
Go with: DatoCMS
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: DatoCMS
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Keystatic is free. DatoCMS is freemium. Go with Keystatic if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Keystatic is a cms tool. DatoCMS is in content marketing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
DatoCMS
- Higher score: 85/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Keystatic
- Completely free
- Better fit for cms
The Bottom Line
DatoCMS (85/100) is our pick. That said, Keystatic is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keystatic or DatoCMS better?
DatoCMS scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Keystatic is free and DatoCMS is freemium.
What are Keystatic and DatoCMS used for?
Keystatic: Content management for your codebase, making Markdown, JSON, and YAML editable by humans.. DatoCMS: Headless CMS for modern web projects.
What does Keystatic cost vs DatoCMS?
Keystatic is completely free. DatoCMS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.