Two open-source headless platforms you can self-host — one wraps your existing database, the other defines its own schema and ships a plugin ecosystem.
Pick Directus when you already have a SQL database and want a headless admin and API layered on top without forcing the CMS to own the schema — it's closer to a data platform than a traditional CMS. Pick Strapi when you want a more conventional headless CMS that owns its data model, with a mature plugin ecosystem and a UI-first content-modeling experience non-developers can extend.
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| Attribute | Strapi | Directus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | CMS | CMS |
| Pricing Model | open-source | open-source |
| Starting Price | Free / $29/mo | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | — | — |
