Keystatic vs Strapi: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Keystatic and Strapi 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.
Strapi
Open-source headless CMS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Leading open-source headless CMS
- • Self-hosted with full control
| At a Glance |  Keystatic |  Strapi |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | CMS | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Keystatic | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CMSHeadless CMS | API ToolsCMS |
How Keystatic and Strapi Compare
Keystatic
Content management for your codebase, making Markdown, JSON, and YAML editable by humans.
Free
Strapi
Open-source headless CMS
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Keystatic is a cms tool. Strapi is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Keystatic is free. Strapi is freemium.
Go with: Keystatic
Want the highest-rated option?
Strapi scores 86/100. Keystatic is unrated.
Go with: Strapi
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Strapi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Keystatic is free. Strapi is freemium. Go with Keystatic if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Keystatic is a cms tool. Strapi is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Strapi
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Keystatic
- Completely free
- Better fit for cms
The Bottom Line
Strapi (86/100) is our pick. That said, Keystatic is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keystatic or Strapi better?
Strapi scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Keystatic is free and Strapi is freemium.
What are Keystatic and Strapi used for?
Keystatic: Content management for your codebase, making Markdown, JSON, and YAML editable by humans.. Strapi: Open-source headless CMS.
What does Keystatic cost vs Strapi?
Keystatic is completely free. Strapi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.