Directus vs Ghost

Directus offers a data-first platform on any SQL database, not an all-in-one publishing suite.

DirectusHeadless CMS and data platform on top of any SQL database

GhostOpen-source publishing and newsletter platform

Which to pick

Pick Directus if you want…

Headless CMS with AI-enabled data actions
SQL-backed data platform
Integrations with Next.js, Nuxt or Astro (on Directus' list, not Ghost's)

Pick Ghost if you want…

Integrated publishing, newsletters and subscriptions
The lower starting price: $24/month against $499/month
Integrations with Zapier, n8n or Slack (on Ghost's list, not Directus')

Side by side

What it is: Directus:Directus is a self-hostable headless CMS and data platform that adds instant REST/GraphQL APIs and AI-driven workflows to any SQL database.; Ghost:Ghost is an open-source publishing platform with built-in newsletters and paid subscriptions for creators and businesses.
Best for: Directus:Headless CMS with AI-enabled data actions; Ghost:Integrated publishing, newsletters and subscriptions
Who it’s for: Directus:Developers, content teams, and ops who need a collaborative backend over existing databases.; Ghost:Publishers, newsletter writers, and businesses that want to monetize content.
Pricing: Directus:Freemium; Ghost:Freemium
Plans: Directus:Core $0 per month · Team $499 per month · Open Innovation Grant Free; Ghost:Starter $24 per month (billed yearly) · Publisher $29 per month (billed yearly) · Business $199 per month (billed yearly)
Open source: Directus:Yes, 38,004 GitHub stars; Ghost:Yes, 55,494 GitHub stars
Works with: Directus:Next.js, Nuxt, Astro, SvelteKit, React, Angular, Laravel, Django; Ghost:Zapier, n8n, Slack, Content API, Webhooks, Payment gateways

Directus features

Instant API generation. Creates production-ready REST and GraphQL endpoints directly from your SQL schema.
No-code admin interface. Provides a visual studio for content editors, asset management, and live preview without coding.
AI Assistant & MCP. Embedded conversational AI can write, translate, tag, and create records via Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, etc.
Role-based access control. Granular permissions govern both human users and AI agents.
Realtime & WebSockets. Subscribe to collections for live updates, enabling collaborative apps and dashboards.
Digital Asset Manager. Upload, transform, and serve media with on-the-fly resizing and CDN readiness.

Ghost features

Custom website & themes. Design and brand your site with built-in settings, a theme marketplace, or fully custom themes.
Rich media editor. Create posts with galleries, videos, audio, product cards, accordions and more.
Native email newsletters. Send unlimited newsletters, segment audiences and use custom templates directly from Ghost.
Membership & payments. Offer free sign-ups, paid subscriptions, tips, discounts and tiered pricing without transaction fees.
Analytics & insights. Track subscriber engagement, email performance and content popularity with native analytics.
Integrations & API. Connect to 8,000+ services, Zapier, n8n, Slack, custom APIs and webhooks.

Directus vs Ghost FAQ

Is Directus or Ghost free?+

Directus has a free plan (Core); paid plans start at $499/month (Team). Ghost has a free plan; paid plans start at $24/month (Starter).

Which is cheaper, Directus or Ghost?+

Ghost is cheaper to start with: Ghost's Starter plan ($24/month) against Directus' Team plan ($499/month).

Is Directus or Ghost open source?+

Yes, both are open source: Directus (directus/directus on GitHub) and Ghost (TryGhost/Ghost on GitHub, MIT license).

Do Directus and Ghost integrate with the same tools?+

Their integration lists don't overlap: Directus lists Next.js, Nuxt, Astro, SvelteKit and 10 more; Ghost lists Zapier, n8n, Slack, Content API and 2 more.

On DevHunt

Directus

Listed by DevHunt

Directus on DevHunt →Directus alternatives

Ghost