Strapi vs Directus
Our score, every feature we track, pricing plans, hosting and AI, side by side.
At a glance
The facts from each platform's profile, side by side.
| Metric | Strapi | Directus |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.2 | 4 |
| Pricing | Free open source · Strapi Cloud and Enterprise paid | Free self-hosted for small orgs · Cloud and Enterprise paid |
| AI | AI-assisted content-type building in the admin panel | AI extensions and flows that can call external models |
| Hosting | SaaS or self-hosted | SaaS or self-hosted |
| Source code | Open source,Closed source | Closed source |
| Created | 2015 | 2004 |
| Best for | Teams that want full control of hosting and data on a JavaScript stack | Teams with an existing SQL database that need a CMS on top of it |
| AI features | AI-assisted content-type building in the admin panel | AI extensions and flows that can call external models |
Features
How each platform offers a feature: free, in the cheapest paid plan, on a higher plan, or enterprise only. Open a feature to compare it across every platform.
Strapi
- Content modeling Free Content-Type Builder and Content Manager
- Editorial workflow Tiered Review workflows are a paid feature
- GraphQL API Free Out of the box
- Headless API Free Auto-generated REST API
- Hosting Included Strapi Cloud
- Localization Free Internationalization built in
- Plugins and apps Free Plugin marketplace
- Roles and permissions Tiered Role-based access control; SSO and audit logs are paid
- Self-hosting Free You own upgrades, security and scaling
Directus
- Automation and webhooks Free Flows: no-code automation
- Content modeling Free Works on your existing SQL schema; modeling is database-shaped
- GraphQL API Free Generated from your data model
- Headless API Free Instant REST API on top of your SQL database
- Hosting Included Directus Cloud
- Localization Free Translations interface
- Roles and permissions Free Granular roles and permissions
- Self-hosting Free Free for small organizations; a paid license is needed above a revenue threshold
Pricing
Every plan, cheapest first, and what the bill is counted by. Open a profile for what each plan includes.
Strapi
- CommunityFree Free Developers self-hosting an open-source CMS
- Cloud StarterPer project $35per project / month Small hosted projects and side projects
- GrowthFlat fee $45/ month Self-hosted teams needing preview and releases
- Cloud ProPer project $90per project / month Production sites that must stay online
- Cloud BusinessPer project $450per project / month High-traffic apps needing an uptime SLA
- EnterpriseCustom quote Custom Large organizations needing governance and support
Prices checked Vendor pricing page
Directus
- Open Innovation GrantFree Free Organizations under $5M revenue and 50 staff
- CoreFlat fee $89/ month Evaluating Directus or small individual builds
- TeamFlat fee $499/ month Teams running production with SSO
- EnterpriseCustom quote Custom Businesses needing scale, security and dedicated support
Prices checked Vendor pricing page
Strengths and watch-outs
From our review of each platform.
Strapi
Strengths
- Open source with full control of data and hosting.
- Content-Type Builder makes modeling quick.
- Large plugin ecosystem and community.
- REST and GraphQL out of the box.
Watch out for
- Self-hosting means you own upgrades, security and scaling.
- Some features (SSO, review workflows, audit logs) are paid.
- AI capabilities are limited compared to SaaS rivals.
Directus
Strengths
- Works with existing databases; no lock-in to a proprietary store.
- Instant REST and GraphQL APIs.
- Flows for no-code automation.
- Self-host or use Directus Cloud.
Watch out for
- Source-available license requires a paid license above a revenue threshold.
- Content modeling is database-shaped, which editors may find technical.
- AI is extension-based rather than built in.
More comparisons
Everything on this page comes from our profiles of the two platforms, checked against each vendor's own documentation and pricing pages. Vendors change plans often: confirm prices on their site before you buy.