Directus
Strapi
Compare Directus and Strapi for your headless CMS needs. Both are open source with different approaches.
Start MigrationStrapi 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 | Directus | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
Ease of Setup | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Community | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Real-time | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Database Support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Content Modeling | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Detail | Directus | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
Language / Stack | Node.js / TypeScript | Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript) |
Type | headless cms | headless cms |
Pricing | Free (self-hosted) / $99+/month (Cloud) | Free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (Cloud) |
Open Source | Yes | Yes |
Best For | Teams with existing databases wanting an instant admin panel and API layer | Developer teams wanting a self-hosted headless CMS with full control |
Export Method | REST API, GraphQL API, or direct database access | REST API, GraphQL API, or database export |
The right choice between Directus and Strapi depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.
Both platforms sit in the same category — headless cms — so the deciding factors are ecosystem size, editorial workflow, and specific feature gaps. Directus uses Node.js / TypeScript, while Strapi runs on Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript). If your developers already know one of those stacks, lean toward that platform to reduce ramp-up time.
From a cost perspective, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.
Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.
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