Directus
Directus: A flexible, API-first CMS for teams that need SQL data modeling and extensibility. Ranked #7 of 34 in Headless CMS by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for data-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility.
At a glance
- Editor score8.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forData-centric teams needing APIs and extensibility
- Free planYes
- Paid from$499/mo
- API typesBoth
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Directus
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, and role-based permissions. Its audience is data-centric teams that want control over their schema and a way to let developers extend the backend without giving up editorial workflows.
The platform’s breadth is its main strength. Teams can manage translations, localization, content versions, previews, and media transformations, while event-driven Flows support automation, webhook-triggered workflows, and HTTP requests. Developers can add custom interfaces, hooks, endpoints, and operations. Directus supports both cloud hosting and deployment on a team’s own infrastructure, giving organizations a choice between managed delivery and self-managed deployment. The published feature set makes it a strong fit for structured content, internal tools, and applications where the API and data model matter as much as the editing interface.
Pricing creates a clear divide between entry-level access and paid collaboration features. The Core plan is free, cloud hosted, and includes Advanced RBAC, community support, and an AI Assistant; a 14-day free trial is also available. Team is $499 per month with annual billing or $599 per month with monthly billing, adding SSO, Granular RBAC, and basic support. Enterprise adds SSO with SAML or OIDC, offline mode, AI translations, and premium support. The Open Innovation Grant provides full access at no software cost for qualifying teams, including free self-hosting. Directus suits teams that value SQL control, API generation, and extensibility; teams seeking low-cost paid collaboration or broad offline capabilities should look closely at the plan boundaries.
Your product? Our editors can test Directus in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Directus pricing
All 4 Directus plans and prices →
Directus fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $499/mo |
| API types | Both |
| Content localization | Yes |
| Role permissions | Custom |
| Webhooks | Yes |
| Content preview | Yes |
| Asset transformations | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | directus.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Directus
- StrapiA flexible CMS for teams that want open-source control and deployment choice.9.4
- SanityA flexible headless CMS for collaborative teams building custom content systems.9.2
- PrismicStrong value for teams that want polished authoring and flexible APIs.9.1
See all Directus alternatives →
Directus vs the competition
- Directus vs Strapi
- Directus vs Sanity
- Directus vs Prismic
- Directus vs Squidex
- Directus vs CrafterCMS
- Directus vs Payload CMS
Compare Directus with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Directus is ranked in 5 of our directories.
Used Directus? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Directus for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Directus is listed in our Headless CMS directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/directus/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/directus.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update