Two self-hostable headless platforms with different starting points — one layers an admin on top of an existing SQL database, the other defines its schema in TypeScript next to your app.
Pick Directus when you already have (or want to own) a SQL database and need a headless admin and API layered on top without the CMS dictating your schema — it shines when the data model is the source of truth and content editing is bolted on. Pick Payload CMS when the CMS is the source of truth, you want the schema defined in TypeScript alongside the rest of a Node or Next.js app, and a code-first developer workflow matters more than a database-first one.
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| Attribute | Payload CMS | Directus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | CMS | CMS |
| Pricing Model | open-source | open-source |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | — | — |
