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Directus

The collaborative backend and self-hostable headless CMS over any database

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Directus is a collaborative backend platform that connects to any SQL database and automatically generates REST and GraphQL APIs, a no-code admin interface, and a native MCP server. It solves the problem of giving both human users and AI agents secure, governed access to live business data without requiring custom backend development or data duplication.

Key capabilities include a built-in AI Assistant for tasks like translation and content creation, a native MCP server for connecting AI tools such as Claude Desktop and Cursor, and role-based access control that applies the same policies to both people and AI agents. The platform offers a no-code Studio with a digital asset manager, real-time WebSocket subscriptions, visual editing with live preview, and customizable dashboards. It can be self-hosted or deployed on Directus Cloud.

Directus is designed for developers, content teams, and operations teams working on the same data. It offers a free Core edition with three user seats and 25 collections, a Team plan with SSO and additional seats, and an Enterprise plan with custom configurations and premium support. An Open Innovation Grant provides full access at no cost for qualifying individuals and small organizations.

12 alternatives to Directus

Ranked by how well each tool replaces Directus: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. Hygraph

    GraphQL-Native Headless CMS for Enterprise Teams

    Covers 6 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

    Free plan
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  2. Payload CMS

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    Covers 7 of 15 key features and is open source.

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  3. Contentstack

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  4. Storyblok

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    Covers 0 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

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  5. Theneo

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    Covers 9 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

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  6. Cosmic

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    Covers 4 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

    Free plan
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  7. Prismic

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    Covers 0 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

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  8. Drupal

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    Covers 0 of 15 key features and is open source.

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  9. ButterCMS

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    Covers 1 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

    Free plan
    60 out of 100 match$71/mo

  10. Prepr

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    Covers 2 of 15 key features and starts cheaper.

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  11. DSpace

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    Covers 3 of 15 key features and is open source.

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  12. Grav

    A CMS for humans and agents

    Covers 0 of 15 key features, starts cheaper and is open source.

    Free planOpen source
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