Directus
Headless CMS and data platform on top of any SQL database
Directus is a free alternative to Contentful.
Directus is a self-hostable headless CMS and data platform that adds instant REST/GraphQL APIs and AI-driven workflows to any SQL database.
- for
- Developers, content teams, and ops who need a collaborative backend over existing databases.
- pricing
- freemium · free trial
- license
- open source
Key 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.
Use cases
- Build a full-stack web app by connecting a database and instantly getting REST/GraphQL APIs.
- Enable content editors to translate and publish multilingual articles via AI without leaving the studio.
- Automate image tagging and alt-text generation for large media libraries using Claude Desktop.
- Replace spreadsheets with structured data tables managed through a collaborative UI.
- Create custom data models from IDEs using AI-driven schema scaffolding.
Directus pricing
- Core$0/month3 user seats · 25 collections · AI Assistant · Advanced RBAC
- Team$499/month10 SSO seats · 50 collections · Granular RBAC · Basic Support
- Open Innovation GrantFreeFull feature access for qualifying small teams · Self-hosted at no cost
Directus vs alternatives
 Directus |  Appwrite |  Strapi |  Supabase | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Headless CMS with AI-enabled data actions | Open-source backend for web/mobile apps | Open-source headless CMS | Open-source Postgres development platform |
| Pricing | Freemium | Subscription | Free | Subscription |
| DevHunt upvotes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Launched | — | — | — | — |
- Directus vs Appwrite: Open-source backend focused on generic APIs, not a full CMS with AI features
- Directus vs Strapi: Strapi is a Node.js headless CMS with code-defined content types; Directus wraps an existing SQL database with a no-code data studio.
- Directus vs Supabase: Postgres platform without native CMS UI or AI-driven content workflows
Directus FAQ
Can I self-host Directus on any plan?+
Yes, self-hosting is available on every tier; Directus Cloud is optional and costs $99/mo for Core and Team.
What is the Open Innovation Grant?+
It provides free, fully permissive access to Directus for organizations under $5 M revenue and fewer than 50 employees, with self-hosting at no cost.
Is SSO included in the Core plan?+
No, SSO is only available on Team, Enterprise, or via the Open Innovation Grant.
How are collections defined?+
A collection maps to a database table; Core includes 25, Team 50 (expandable), Enterprise starts at 200+.
What billing options exist for the Team plan?+
Team is $499/mo with an annual commitment ($5,988/year) or $599/mo on a rolling monthly basis.
Summarized by DevHunt from directus.io · Oct 1, 2026. Details may change; check the official site.
About this listing
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