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Directus

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Strapi

Directus vs Strapi

Compare Directus and Strapi for your headless CMS needs. Both are open source with different approaches.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Strapi for content, Directus for data. Choose Directus when you have an existing database or need a backend for apps beyond content. Choose Strapi for traditional content management with a visual content-type builder.

Official docs: Strapi Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureDirectusStrapi
Ease of Setup
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Community
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Real-time
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Database Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content Modeling
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Directus

Pros

  • Database-first approach
  • Works with existing DBs
  • Real-time features
  • Better for apps
  • Flexible architecture

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Smaller community
  • Fewer tutorials
  • Less content-focused

Strapi

Pros

  • Content-type builder UI
  • Larger community
  • More resources
  • Plugin marketplace
  • Better for content sites

Cons

  • Heavier resource usage
  • Migration headaches
  • Breaking changes historically
  • Less flexible architecture

Platform Details

DetailDirectusStrapi
Language / Stack
Node.js / TypeScriptNode.js (JavaScript/TypeScript)
Type
headless cmsheadless cms
Pricing
Free (self-hosted) / $99+/month (Cloud)Free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (Cloud)
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Teams with existing databases wanting an instant admin panel and API layerDeveloper teams wanting a self-hosted headless CMS with full control
Export Method
REST API, GraphQL API, or direct database accessREST API, GraphQL API, or database export

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more stable?
Both v9+ are stable. Strapi has had more breaking changes historically but has matured.

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