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Head-to-head · Headless CMS

Directus vs DatoCMS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Directus #7 in Headless CMS 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Directus
DatoCMS #11 in Headless CMS 8.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DatoCMS

Directus leads on 0 checks, DatoCMS on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDirectus · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Directus scores higher on our rubric for headless cms: 8.7 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #11.

Directus is the better fit for data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility. DatoCMS is the better fit for teams wanting capable editorial controls.

  • Directus fits best

    Data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility

  • DatoCMS fits best

    Teams wanting capable editorial controls

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Directus 8.7/10 Visit ↗ DatoCMS 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.3
Ranking #7 in Headless CMS #11 in Headless CMS
Best for Data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility Teams wanting capable editorial controls
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $499/mo €149/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA ISO 27001, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Directus 4/4 · DatoCMS 4/4
Content localization ✓ ✓
Webhooks ✓ ✓
Content preview ✓ ✓
Asset transformations ✓ ✓
Specs
API types Both Both
Role permissions Custom Custom
Our review
Pros
  • Generated REST and GraphQL APIs from SQL data models
  • Granular permissions, localization, versioning, and automation
  • Self-hosting, cloud hosting, and custom extensions are supported
  • GraphQL and REST APIs support flexible content delivery and management
  • Granular permissions, workflows, and previews support structured editorial teams
  • Localization and image transformations cover international, media-rich projects
Cons
  • Team costs $499/month with annual billing or $599/month monthly
  • SSO is available on Team and Enterprise plans, not Core
  • Offline mode and AI translations are limited to Enterprise
  • Professional starts at €149 per month when billed annually
  • The Free plan relies on community-based support
  • Enterprise pricing is custom and adds cost uncertainty
Our verdict

Directus is a backend and headless CMS for teams managing structured data across web and API projects. It connects to SQL databases and combines content modeling, asset management, a web-based Data Studio, generated REST and GraphQL APIs,…

Read the review →

DatoCMS is a cloud-based headless CMS for teams creating websites, applications, ecommerce experiences, and other digital products. It centralizes structured content and delivers it through APIs, including a GraphQL Content Delivery API…

Read the review →
  1. DirectusHeadless CMS 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. DatoCMSHeadless CMS 8.3Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Directus — where it wins

    • Generated REST and GraphQL APIs from SQL data models
    • Granular permissions, localization, versioning, and automation
    • Self-hosting, cloud hosting, and custom extensions are supported

    Where it doesn't

    • Team costs $499/month with annual billing or $599/month monthly
    • SSO is available on Team and Enterprise plans, not Core
    • Offline mode and AI translations are limited to Enterprise

  • DatoCMS — where it wins

    • GraphQL and REST APIs support flexible content delivery and management
    • Granular permissions, workflows, and previews support structured editorial teams
    • Localization and image transformations cover international, media-rich projects

    Where it doesn't

    • Professional starts at €149 per month when billed annually
    • The Free plan relies on community-based support
    • Enterprise pricing is custom and adds cost uncertainty
  • Directus8.7/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible, API-first CMS for teams that need SQL data modeling and extensibility.

    Visit DirectusFull verdict →
  • DatoCMS8.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A capable headless CMS with strong editorial features and a relatively high paid entry price.

    Visit DatoCMSFull verdict →

More comparisons

All headless CMS comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update