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Head-to-head · Headless CMS

Directus vs Storyblok

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 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
Storyblok #9 in Headless CMS 8.5/10 Free plan · 45-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Storyblok

Directus leads on 0 checks, Storyblok on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 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
  • Lowest starting priceStoryblok · $90.75/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

Directus scores higher on our rubric for headless cms: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #9.

Storyblok is cheaper to start at $90.75/mo against $499/mo.

Directus is the better fit for data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility. Storyblok is the better fit for editors prioritizing visual headless workflows.

  • Directus fits best

    Data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility

  • Storyblok fits best

    Editors prioritizing visual headless workflows

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 ↗ Storyblok 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #7 in Headless CMS #9 in Headless CMS
Best for Data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility Editors prioritizing visual headless workflows
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $499/mo $90.75/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days 45 days
Free trial length 14 days 45 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Directus 4/4 · Storyblok 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
  • Visual Editor with draft website previews and component blocks
  • REST and GraphQL APIs with localization and granular permissions
  • Webhooks, releases, and media transformation support
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
  • Starter includes only 1 user seat and 1 space
  • Growth starts at $99 per month for 5 seats
  • Premium and Elite plans use custom pricing
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 →

Storyblok is a cloud headless CMS for marketing and development teams creating websites, applications, and other digital experiences. Its main distinction is combining structured content modeling and API delivery with a Visual Editor for…

Read the review →
  1. DirectusHeadless CMS 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. StoryblokHeadless CMS 8.5Free plan · 45-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

  • Storyblok — where it wins

    • Visual Editor with draft website previews and component blocks
    • REST and GraphQL APIs with localization and granular permissions
    • Webhooks, releases, and media transformation support

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter includes only 1 user seat and 1 space
    • Growth starts at $99 per month for 5 seats
    • Premium and Elite plans use custom pricing
  • 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 →
  • Storyblok8.5/10 · Free plan · 45-day trial

    A strong fit for editorial teams that need visual previews and structured APIs.

    Visit StoryblokFull 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