Directus vs Contentful

Compare Directus and Contentful to find the best tool for your needs.

Directus

Open-source headless CMS that wraps any SQL database with a real-time API and intuitive app for non-technical users.

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VS

Contentful

A headless CMS that provides a content infrastructure for digital teams to power websites, apps, and devices.

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Quick overview

Pricing

Free (self-hosted), Cloud plans from $25/month
Free tier, $489+/month for paid plans

Pros & Cons

Directus

Pros

  • 100% open-source
  • Works with existing databases
  • Highly extensible
  • Comprehensive permissions system

Cons

  • Less specialized for content management
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Self-hosted complexity
  • Smaller community than some alternatives

Contentful

Pros

  • Truly headless architecture
  • Powerful API-first approach
  • Good developer experience
  • Scalable for enterprise

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Expensive for larger projects
  • Requires development resources