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Externum vs Keel
Keel offers backend services and team tools, whereas Externum is a language/compiler, not a hosted backend platform.
ExternumA typed language that compiles to Python, Bash and bytecode
KeelThe backend for your apps, the tools for your teamsWhich to pick
Pick Externum if you want…
- Typed source, multi-backend compilation
Pick Keel if you want…
- Code-first backend with built-in internal tools
- Backend-as-a-service
Side by side
- What it is
- Externum:Externum is a statically-typed language that compiles a single source file to readable Python, strict-mode Bash scripts, or a source-less bytecode VM.
- Keel:Keel provides a code-first backend platform with instant internal tools, schema-driven APIs, and full-stack operations features.
- Best for
- Externum:Typed source, multi-backend compilation
- Keel:Code-first backend with built-in internal tools
- Who it’s for
- Externum:Developers who want one codebase to run on Python, Bash or a custom VM without adding new runtimes.
- Keel:Engineers building operational backends and internal tools for fast-moving teams
- Pricing
- Externum:Freemium
- Keel:Contact sales
- Open source
- Externum:Yes, 0 GitHub stars
- Keel:Yes
- Works with
- Externum:—
- Keel:VSCode extension
Externum features
- Three native backends. Compile once to CPython source, standalone Bash scripts, or a bytecode artifact for the bundled VM.
- Strict-mode Bash output. Generates Bash scripts with real functions, recursion and set -euo pipefail, warning on unsupported constructs.
- Readable Python generation. Emits idiomatic CPython code that can be debugged with standard Python tooling.
- Source-less bytecode VM. Produces .exbc artifacts that run on a small VM, eliminating the need to ship source code.
- Pipeline operator. Supports `x |> f(a,b)` syntax across all backends for clearer data flow.
- Differential test harness. Runs every program through all three backends in CI to catch backend drift.
Keel features
- Schema-driven data model. Define data models, actions, and permissions in a clear schema that generates APIs and internal tools.
- TypeScript extensions. Write custom functions, jobs, and durable functions in TypeScript with full type safety.
- Version-controlled environments. Create multiple environments, branch deployments, and PR previews with audit trails.
- Built-in testing framework. Generate type-safe end-to-end tests from the schema for actions, functions, and jobs.
- Instant internal tools. Automatically generate UI tools for ops teams that stay in sync with schema changes.
- Serverless infrastructure. Managed, multi-region PostgreSQL and serverless runtime scales from first to millionth user.
Externum vs Keel FAQ
Is Externum or Keel free?+
Externum has a free plan and paid plans.
Is Externum or Keel open source?+
Yes, both are open source: Externum (BartoszOsiej/externum on GitHub, MIT license) and Keel (teamkeel/keel on GitHub).
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.