Disclaimer

This article is not sponsored. Our team has extensive experience working with both platforms, having developed projects using both Strapi and Directus CMS. We are committed to providing an honest and unbiased opinion.

Overview

Strapi and Directus are both headless content management systems (CMS). If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, you can learn more about it in this video. Both platforms offer API capabilities (both REST and GraphQL), an administrative web application for content management, and a variety of additional features

GitHub Metrics and Funding Updates as of April 24, 2025

• Strapi’s GitHub repository has garnered 65.4k stars and 8.5k forks.
• Directus’ GitHub repository has accumulated 30k stars and 4.2k forks.

In terms of funding

• Strapi has secured $45 million in funding.
• Directus has received $8 million in funding.

Pricing and Specifications Comparison

Both Strapi and Directus CMS are free and open source, unless you choose to use their respective cloud hosting services. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the platform requirements for each CMS, which are crucial for a meaningful comparison:

Strapi Requirements

• CPU: 2+ cores , Memory: 4GB+, Disk: 32GB+

Directus Requirements

• CPU: 1+ cores, Memory: 1GB+ ,Disk: 2GB+

Database Comparison

Directus extends its support to a diverse range of six database clients, encompassing Postgres, MySQL, OracleDB, MsSQL, Sqlite3, and CockroachDB. In comparison, Strapi offers compatibility with a more limited selection, including just four database clients: Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, and SQLite.

Understanding the Core Difference Between Directus and Strapi: Data Engine vs. Headless CMS

When choosing between Directus and Strapi, it is essential to understand that they are built with different philosophies in mind. While both serve as content management solutions, their approach to data handling, storage, and integration with existing systems sets them apart significantly.

To better grasp their differences, let’s break it down by comparing how each tool interacts with a database and how they function in a real-world scenario.

Directus: A Data Engine That Wraps Around an Existing Database

Directus functions primarily as a data engine, meaning it is designed to work as a layer that sits on top of an existing SQL database. Rather than imposing a predefined data structure, Directus allows you to take an already established database — whether it belongs to an inventory management system, a financial tracking tool, or an e-commerce platform — and immediately expose it via APIs with headless CMS capabilities.

For example, imagine you have a custom-built order management system that already contains a well-structured SQL database with tables such as customers, orders, products, and payments. If you want to integrate a headless CMS to manage and expose this data via an API without modifying the underlying database structure, Directus is an ideal choice.

Here’s why:

• Works with Pre-Existing Databases
  Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Directus doesn’t require you to create a new database schema from scratch. If you already have a MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite database, you can install Directus on top of it and instantly get a user-friendly interface for managing content, relationships, and access permissions.
• No Data Migration Needed
  Many organizations have legacy databases that contain years of business-critical information. Migrating this data to a new system can be time-consuming, expensive, and risky. Directus eliminates this problem by letting you keep your existing database unchanged while adding CMS functionality on top of it.
• Acts as a Middleware for Multiple Systems
  Since Directus doesn’t tightly couple itself with the database but instead sits as a flexible layer over it, it allows for seamless integration with other systems that may already be using the same database. This makes it useful for large organizations where multiple applications need to read from and write to the same data source.
• Schema-Agnostic and Database-Transparent
  With Directus, there’s no need to maintain your database schema in the application code. The system detects the database structure and allows you to manage it visually or via API without being locked into a specific framework.

In summary, Directus is ideal for scenarios where a business already has a structured database and wants to introduce API-driven CMS capabilities without disrupting existing workflows or requiring complex migrations.

Strapi: A Code-Driven Headless CMS That Manages Its Own Schema

Strapi, on the other hand, operates differently. It is a code-first, schema-driven headless CMS, meaning that the structure of the database is defined and maintained within the Strapi code itself. Instead of adapting to an existing database, Strapi dictates how the database should be structured based on its model definitions.

Consider this example: imagine a startup building a content-rich blogging platform that requires a flexible CMS for managing authors, articles, and categories. The team wants a headless CMS where content is stored in a structured way and can be exposed via REST or GraphQL APIs. However, they don’t have an existing database — they are starting from scratch.

Strapi is well suited for this scenario because:

• Schema is Defined in Code
  Unlike Directus, where the database structure already exists and is merely managed, Strapi requires developers to define the schema using JSON configuration files within the codebase. These files determine the structure of collections (e.g., authors, posts, categories) and how they relate to each other.
• Automatic Schema Management
  Strapi manages the underlying database schema for you. Whenever changes are made to the schema in the Strapi configuration files, it automatically updates the database structure to reflect those changes. This removes the need for developers to manually handle database migrations.
• Not Designed for Sharing a Database with Other Systems
  Since Strapi dynamically controls and modifies the database structure, it is not well-suited for environments where multiple applications need to interact directly with the same database. It expects full control over the database, which can make integrating with existing legacy databases or sharing data between multiple systems more complicated.
• Best for Greenfield Projects
  Because Strapi requires database schema definitions to be written in code, it works best for projects that are being built from the ground up, where developers want full control over how data is structured and accessed.
• More Opinionated About Data Management
  Strapi abstracts database interactions, meaning that developers don’t directly manage tables, indexes, or relationships at the SQL level. Instead, they work with high-level content types, and Strapi takes care of storing and retrieving data accordingly.

In-Depth Comparison of Directus and Strapi: Handling Databases, Features, and Customization

When choosing between Directus and Strapi, understanding their approach to database management, customization, and feature flexibility is crucial. Both tools are powerful headless CMS solutions but operate with fundamentally different philosophies. This comparison breaks down key aspects like database schema handling, content versioning, access control, and extensibility to help you decide which CMS best fits your project’s needs.

1. Database Schema Management: Code-Driven vs. Database-Driven

One of the biggest differences between Strapi and Directus is how they handle database schema:

• Directus: Uses a database-driven approach, meaning it works with an existing database and does not require a predefined schema within the application code.
• Strapi: Uses a code-driven approach, where the database schema is explicitly defined in JSON-based configuration files and maintained as part of the codebase.

1.1 Migrating from an Existing Database: Directus

If you already have a well-structured legacy database (e.g., an HR management system, an e-commerce product catalog, or a medical records database), Directus makes it easy to adopt a headless CMS without modifying or migrating the existing data.

• You can install Directus, point it to your existing database, and instantly gain API access and an admin UI to manage the data.
• This makes Directus an excellent option for businesses that want to modernize their systems without disrupting their data structure.

In contrast, Strapi requires data migration because it dictates its own database schema. To migrate an existing database into Strapi:

1. The database schema must be modeled manually in Strapi’s schema.json file.
2. Custom migration scripts must be written to move data into the structure dictated by Strapi.
3. Once set up, Strapi enforces strict control over how the data is stored and managed.

For this reason, migrating an existing system into Strapi is more complex and time-consuming compared to Directus.

1.2 Avoiding CMS Lock-In: Directus

One of the concerns with any CMS is vendor lock-in — how easy it is to leave the system if needed.

• Directus does not modify the existing database structure. If you decide to stop using it, you simply remove Directus, and your data remains intact.
• Strapi, however, deeply integrates into the database. Since Strapi manages schema through its own system, migrating away from Strapi requires writing migration scripts to extract the data and adapt it to another format.

If long-term flexibility is a priority, Directus is the safer choice.

1.3 Coexistence with Other Systems: Directus

Because Directus does not require changing the database schema, it can coexist with other applications using the same database. This is useful when:

• Multiple backend systems need to share the same data.
• You want to introduce a CMS layer without disrupting existing applications.

Strapi, on the other hand, takes full control of the database and expects exclusive access. It actively removes any tables that are not reflected in its schema, making it difficult to integrate with other systems sharing the same database.

1.4 Schema Changes Across Environments: Both

Both Directus and Strapi support schema versioning across environments (development, staging, production), but they handle it differently:

• Strapi: Since schema changes are code-based, updating the schema in different environments is as simple as deploying the latest version of the code.
• Directus: Requires a two-step process using command-line tools:
• npx directus schema snapshot ./path/to/snapshot.yaml (create a snapshot)
• npx directus schema apply ./path/to/snapshot.yaml (apply the schema to another environment)

While Directus requires an extra step, this can be automated within a CI/CD pipeline, making the process straightforward.

2. Content Versioning: Directus (Strapi Paid Only)

A key feature of any CMS is the ability to track changes made to content over time.

• Directus natively supports content versioning, allowing users to:
• View previous versions of a record.
• Restore an older version of the content.
• Strapi lacked content versioning until version 5, where it was introduced only for paid plans (Growth and Enterprise). If you are using the free Community Edition, content versioning is not available.

For teams that rely on content history tracking, Directus provides a better free-tier experience.

1. Draft & Publish Mode:

✅ Directus Does Support a Draft-Like System, But Not True Draft & Publish Mode

While Strapi offers a true Draft & Publish mode, where you can maintain a published version and an editable draft version of the same record, Directus handles drafts differently:

• Directus does not have a built-in Draft & Publish toggle like Strapi.
• However, Directus allows setting custom statuses (e.g., “Draft,” “In Review,” “Published”) using its Status System.
• This enables workflow control, but it does not maintain two separate versions of the same record (one live, one draft) at the same time.
• In Directus, if an editor makes changes to a published record, those changes immediately modify the original record rather than creating a separate draft.

Workaround in Directus:

To mimic a Draft & Publish workflow in Directus, teams often:

• Use a “Status” field where records can be marked as “Draft” or “Published.”
• Clone records to create a temporary draft version before publishing.

2. Custom File Upload Logic:

✅ Directus Does Support Custom File Upload Logic

Directus provides various file upload options, similar to Strapi, and is working towards allowing fully customizable upload providers. Here’s what it currently supports:

• Directus supports storage destinations like:
• Local file storage
• Amazon S3
• Google Cloud Storage
• Azure Blob Storage
• Other cloud providers via third-party integrations
• File Access Control: Directus allows assigning permissions and folder restrictions for different roles/users.

Customization in Directus:

• While Strapi allows fully custom file upload providers, Directus is also working on this feature, and some customization is already possible via:
• Custom Extensions: You can create your own storage adapter.
• Webhooks & Automations: You can modify file handling logic after uploads

5. Single Sign-On (SSO): Directus (Free), Strapi (Paid Only)

Both Directus and Strapi offer SSO authentication (Google, GitHub, Facebook, Okta, etc.), but with a key difference:

• Directus allows SSO for free in self-hosted setups.
• Strapi locks SSO behind paid plans (Growth & Enterprise).

If SSO is a requirement, Directus provides the most cost-effective solution.

6. Dynamic Content Structures: Both

Both Strapi and Directus allow creating flexible content structures using:

• Strapi: Dynamic Zones
• Directus: Many-to-Any (M2A) relationships

These features enable rich, dynamic content editing (e.g., pages with sections for images, text, and videos).

Both tools offer drag-and-drop UI features that make content management intuitive.

Access Control: Strapi vs. Directus

• Strapi offers granular Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), allowing restrictions at per-screen, per-collection, and per-field levels. However, row-level permissions require custom development. Some advanced access control features are now limited to paid plans.
• Directus provides fine-grained access control with custom roles, policies, and field-level permissions. It also supports filter-based row-level restrictions out-of-the-box.

Verdict: Strapi has solid RBAC but now has limitations on advanced role management. Directus offers more flexible access control without paid restrictions.

8. Customizing APIs & Extensibility: Both

Both Directus and Strapi allow:
✔️ Custom API endpoints
✔️ Custom UI screens
✔️ Webhooks & hooks

• Strapi uses React for admin UI customization.
• Directus uses Vue.js for UI customization.

For teams preferring a React-based admin interface, Strapi is a better fit. Vue.js users may prefer Directus.

Project structure

Strapi’s architectural design relies heavily on local files, encompassing collections models, life-cycle hooks, and various other components, all meticulously defined within configuration files.

In contrast, Directus stores the majority of its components in the database, except for custom plugins such as hooks, app modifications, and endpoints. Here is an overview of what your Directus project’s initial setup entails

Which one is best? It depends on what you like. Personally, We like Directus more because any changes take effect right away, without waiting for the app to restart, unlike Strapi

Admin UI Overview

Strapi’s admin app uses React, while Directus employs Vue. To put it simply, Directus excels in this aspect, offering better customization, speed, and overall coherence

Benefits of Directus Compared to Strapi

1. Database Integration: Directus can seamlessly adapt to your existing database, enabling you to manage tables that were not originally created with the tool (excluding relational fields, as far as we know). In contrast, Strapi requires you to initiate your project with it to gain control over your database. While not a significant drawback, this is a noteworthy feature of Directus.
2. Robust Role & Permission System: Directus boasts a robust and powerful role and permission system.

Directus presents a user-friendly and robust permissions management interface within its admin app. Notably, Directus offers the flexibility to create an unlimited number of roles, whereas Strapi’s free version imposes an inexplicable limit of 3 roles. The rationale behind this restriction remains unclear and seems unnecessary.

While Strapi does provide a permissions management interface for roles, Directus takes it to the next level by allowing extensive customization of access conditions and per-field access.

Directus’ Geospatial Advantage: PostGIS Support

Directus embraces geographic object support via PostGIS, an extension for PostgreSQL that enhances SQL with the ability to handle geographic object queries. This feature is highly significant in PostgreSQL but curiously absent in Strapi. The reason for this omission remains unclear. However, Directus not only offers support for it but also implements it with grace. Don’t hesitate to explore its functionality

Directus’ user interface offers enhanced customization capabilities.

With Directus, you have the flexibility to tailor your admin dashboard to a greater extent compared to Strapi, making it particularly user-friendly for non-technical users. Here are some of the standout features:

1. Field Name Aliases: You can assign an alias to any field within your collections. For instance, if you have a relationship field named “product_inventory,” you can instantly rename it to “Inventory Status” for improved clarity.
2. Conditional Display: Field presentations can be dynamically styled based on specific conditions. For example, you can configure it to display a red dot when a product is out of stock and a green dot when it’s in stock.
3. Collections Grouping: Collections can be organized into categories of your choosing. For instance, you can create a collapsible “Sales” group to conveniently group all sales-related collections together.
4. Collection Page Layout Adjustment: Customize the layout of your collection pages as per your preferences. You have the freedom to select from various views (table, cards, map, calendar), and you can show or hide fields as needed, including deep relational fields. This is a significant advantage.

In summary, Directus empowers users with an even higher level of customization in their admin dashboard, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users, including those who may not possess extensive technical expertise.

Directus Flows

In our view, one of the most outstanding features of Directus at present is its Flows functionality. Flows enable you to execute operations triggered by various events directly from your dashboard, all without the need for coding. This process is facilitated by an aesthetically pleasing user interface constructed with interconnected blocks.

When to Choose Directus CMS vs. Strapi CMS: Which One Fits Your Business Needs?

Choosing between Directus and Strapi depends on whether your business needs a full backend with database management or a content-first CMS with a lightweight backend.

When to Choose Directus CMS

Preferred Business Categories:

✅ Manufacturing & Industrial
✅ Custom Healthcare & Medtech Solutions
✅ Beauty & Wellness Treatment Brands
✅ Automotive & Engineering
✅ E-commerce Brands with Heavy Backend Requirements

Best For:

✔️ More Than Just a CMS — Directus is a hybrid CMS and backend management system, ideal for businesses needing deep database control, custom workflows, and structured data management.
✔️ Full Control Over Infrastructure — Works directly with SQL databases, giving businesses complete data ownership and security control.
✔️ Complex Content Structures — Supports intricate data relationships, making it perfect for industrial, healthcare, and automotive businesses.
✔️ Self-Hosting & Compliance Flexibility — Ideal for businesses handling sensitive data with strict compliance requirements.
✔️ Developer-First Approach — Fully open-source and customizable, giving businesses complete control over backend logic.

When to Choose Strapi CMS

Preferred Business Categories:

✅ Content-Driven E-commerce Startups
✅ Subscription-Based Businesses
✅ Marketing-Focused Brands & Landing Pages
✅ Blogs, News Portals & Media Sites

Best For:

✔️ Headless CMS for Content Management — Strapi is perfect for businesses focused on managing content for websites, landing pages, blogs, and marketing materials.
✔️ Lightweight Backend for Basic Business Needs — While not as robust as Directus, Strapi allows you to store user data, handle simple business logic, and connect with APIs without the complexity of a full backend.
✔️ Fast & Flexible Landing Page Management — Ideal for marketing teams that need to quickly create and update landing pages, SEO content, and promotional material.
✔️ Self-Hosting Flexibility — Like Directus, Strapi supports self-hosting to reduce SaaS costs and improve security control.
✔️ Seamless API Integration — Works effortlessly with front-end frameworks and e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WordPress.

📌 3 Real-World Use Cases for Directus

(Best for businesses needing full control over backend data and CMS flexibility.)

1. Enterprise E-Commerce Platform — Complex Product Catalog, PIM, and Custom Workflows

Scenario:
A large-scale enterprise e-commerce company needs a powerful backend to handle millions of SKUs, a custom Product Information Management (PIM) system, and integrations with ERP, CRM, and third-party logistics.

Why Directus?
✅ SQL-based CMS provides complete control over product catalogs, inventory, and metadata, making it ideal for e-commerce businesses with large and complex databases.
✅ Acts as a PIM solution, enabling structured content management with multi-region pricing, dynamic workflows, and variant-based SKUs.
✅ Integration with platforms like Medusa.js (headless e-commerce), ERP, CRM, and custom-built microservices for automated order processing and inventory updates.
✅ Workflow automation for custom pricing approvals, stock updates, and multi-channel content delivery.
✅ Self-hosting options ensure data security, compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or internal security requirements, avoiding SaaS limitations.

How to Use Directus?

• Use Directus as a headless CMS & backend, managing all product data in a structured SQL database.
• Expose product APIs for frontend applications (e.g., React, Vue, or mobile apps) while integrating with external PIM and ERP systems.
• Implement custom roles & permissions for different teams (e.g., product managers, content creators, logistics).
• Connect with AI-driven recommendation engines to personalize product listings dynamically.

2. Custom Internal Business Tool — Workflow Automation & Data Management

Scenario:
A large manufacturing company wants to develop a custom internal tool to manage supply chains, automate inventory tracking, and generate real-time production reports across multiple facilities.

Why Directus?
✅ Backend & CMS hybrid — Manage structured business data while offering an easy-to-use admin panel for non-technical users.
✅ Custom API workflows — Automate inventory management, order processing, and production schedules dynamically.
✅ Role-based access control — Different teams (operations, procurement, and finance) can access only relevant dashboards.
✅ Direct SQL database control — Ensures real-time data synchronization with existing ERP or IoT systems.
✅ No-code admin interface — Employees can create custom dashboards, reports, and automation rules without engineering support.

How to Use Directus?

• Deploy Directus as an internal platform, integrating it with IoT devices for real-time tracking.
• Use custom REST & GraphQL APIs to connect with factory management systems.
• Implement automated notifications & workflows (e.g., reorder stock when inventory hits a threshold).
• Host Directus on-premise or in a private cloud for full control over sensitive business data.

3. Multi-Tenant SaaS Platform — Fully-Fledged Backend for SaaS Business

Scenario:
A B2B SaaS company wants to build a multi-tenant platform where different businesses can manage their own customer data, workflows, and APIs — all while keeping tenants fully isolated from one another.

Why Directus?
✅ Fully-fledged backend capabilities — Directus can power entire SaaS applications, handling multi-tenant database structures, API logic, and user authentication.
✅ Tenant-specific configurations — Each client can have separate data models, custom API endpoints, and permissions.
✅ Self-hosted or cloud-based — Control where customer data is stored, ensuring GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 compliance.
✅ API-first architecture — Enables easy integration with Stripe (billing), third-party AI services, analytics tools, and external APIs.
✅ Scalability — Can handle multiple tenants, each with isolated databases, reducing cross-tenant data conflicts.

How to Use Directus?

• Use Directus as the core backend for your SaaS application, allowing clients to manage their own accounts, workflows, and configurations.
• Implement custom authentication & user permissions per tenant using Directus’s RBAC (Role-Based Access Control).
• Create custom admin dashboards using the built-in Directus UI, reducing development time.
• Deploy a multi-tenant database setup where each customer has isolated data access while maintaining a centralized system for global management.
• Integrate with billing (Stripe, Paddle), email automation (SendGrid, Mailchimp), and AI-powered analytics to enhance SaaS capabilities.

Conclusion: When to Use Directus?

• If your business needs a CMS + full-fledged backend with deep database control, API customization, and complex workflows, Directus is the right choice.
• Ideal for enterprise e-commerce, internal business automation, and SaaS platforms requiring multi-tenant support, role-based access, and structured data management.

📌 3 Real-World Use Cases for Strapi

(Best for content-driven businesses and lightweight backend needs.)

1. Content-Driven E-Commerce — Blog, Landing Pages & Product Marketing

Scenario:
A DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) e-commerce brand wants to scale its marketing efforts by managing blog content, landing pages, and SEO-optimized product descriptions, while integrating with Shopify for transactions.

Why Strapi?
✅ Headless CMS optimized for content-first experiences — Best for managing blogs, marketing pages, and e-commerce content without backend complexity.
✅ Easy-to-use interface for marketing teams — Writers, designers, and SEO specialists can update content independently without developer help.
✅ Seamless integration with Shopify & Magento — Strapi serves content via APIs to e-commerce storefronts, mobile apps, and marketing sites.
✅ SEO-friendly CMS — Supports structured metadata, fast-loading pages, and multi-language support for global reach.
✅ Self-hosting flexibility — Avoids SaaS CMS costs while ensuring data ownership and faster content delivery.

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How to Use Strapi?

• Use Strapi to manage all marketing content (blogs, landing pages, product descriptions).
• Expose APIs for e-commerce frontends (React, Vue, Next.js, or Nuxt.js).
• Integrate with Shopify’s API to dynamically pull product details into landing pages.
• Use GraphQL to fetch only the necessary content for optimized performance.
• Allow non-technical teams to update landing pages in real time without developer assistance.

2. Developer Documentation & API-First SaaS Content Management

Scenario:
A B2B SaaS platform provides developer tools and APIs and needs a CMS to manage technical documentation, product updates, and community-driven guides while ensuring API-based delivery.

Why Strapi?
✅ Headless CMS with API-first design — Perfect for technical documentation, API reference pages, and product announcements.
✅ Markdown and rich-text support — Makes it easy to publish developer-friendly documentation with version control.
✅ REST & GraphQL support — Enables faster API documentation retrieval for external users.
✅ Role-based access control — Different teams (engineering, product, support) can manage and publish content securely.
✅ Multi-channel publishing — Serve documentation to websites, mobile apps, or chatbot assistants.

How to Use Strapi?

• Use Strapi as the CMS for all technical content, including API docs, SDK guides, and tutorials.
• Connect it with a static site generator (like Gatsby.js or Docusaurus) for fast and optimized docs.
• Use GraphQL for efficient content retrieval, allowing developers to query only what they need.
• Implement multi-version documentation, so users can browse old and new API versions.
• Allow different teams to collaborate, ensuring engineers, product managers, and marketing teams can update content easily.

3. Multi-Tenant Content Management System — Managing Multiple Brands & Websites

Scenario:
A marketing agency or media company needs a CMS to manage content across multiple client websites, allowing easy content creation, publishing, and SEO optimization — all from one dashboard.

Why Strapi?
✅ Multi-site content management — Allows agencies to manage multiple websites under a single Strapi instance.
✅ Scalable CMS for different brands — Each client gets a separate content model, but managed within the same backend.
✅ Multi-language support — Enables content localization for brands targeting global audiences.
✅ Drag-and-drop content blocks — Quickly create new landing pages, blog posts, and promo pages without coding.
✅ Seamless API delivery — Distribute content to different platforms (websites, apps, digital kiosks, and social media).

How to Use Strapi?

• Set up Strapi as the core CMS for managing multiple client websites.
• Use role-based permissions so that each brand manager only accesses their specific content.
• Integrate with front-end frameworks (Next.js, Nuxt.js, React, Vue) for headless content delivery.
• Implement a structured API architecture, making it easy to push content to multiple channels.
• Automate SEO workflows, ensuring metadata, open graph tags, and structured content are optimized per site.

Final Comparison: When to Choose Strapi?

• If your business needs a content-first CMS with a lightweight backend, Strapi is the right choice.
• Best for e-commerce marketing teams, SaaS businesses, and multi-brand content management.

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Our Experience with Strapi & Directus: Lessons from 50+ Projects

Our team has worked on 50+ projects using Strapi and Directus, ranging from simple landing pages to multi-tenant SaaS platforms, AI-powered backends, complex business systems, PIM solutions, and headless commerce applications.

Our Key Takeaways:

Directus — More Than Just a CMS, A Full-Fledged Backend Solution

If you’re considering Directus, don’t think of it as just another CMS. It’s only 20% CMS — the rest is a fully customizable backend that can be used to build almost anything. We’ve successfully used Directus to power:
✅ ERP & CRM Systems
✅ Headless Commerce
✅ PIM (Product Information Management) Solutions
✅ Backend for Mobile & Web Apps
✅ AI-Powered Data Processing Workflows

Directus provides deep database control, structured workflows, API-first flexibility, and enterprise-grade capabilities, making it a perfect hybrid for businesses that need more than content management.

Strapi — Ideal for Content Management, But Not a Full Backend

For landing pages, blogs, and lightweight content-driven applications, Strapi is a great choice. However, treating Strapi as a Supabase alternative or a full-fledged MERN backend is not recommended.

🔹 While Strapi works well for marketing pages and simple backend needs, our experience with multi-tenant SaaS POCs revealed significant limitations when attempting to scale complex business logic and multi-instance architectures.

For projects requiring scalable, structured backend solutions with deep database control, Directus is often the better choice.

Explore Our Case Studies

Want to see real-world applications of Directus & Strapi in action? Check out our case studies:
🔗 https://www.weframetech.com/case-study

Conclusion

Both Directus and Strapi are powerful headless CMS solutions, each with its own strengths and dedicated user base. Strapi excels as a strong, open-source CMS with a vibrant community and solid features for content management. On the other hand, Directus goes beyond a traditional CMS — acting as a full Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, offering greater flexibility for projects that require more than just content handling.

If you're simply looking for a robust CMS, Strapi is a great choice. But if you need advanced capabilities like granular data modeling, workflow automation, or deep relational database control — Directus might be the better fit.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your project requirements. Always take the time to evaluate your goals, test both platforms, and choose the one that aligns best with your long-term vision.

If you'd like help selecting the right stack or want to explore what's possible with Directus or Strapi, feel free to follow us on LinkedIn or reach out to our team. As specialists in headless commerce and JAMstack solutions, we're here to support you in making the most informed decision for your business.

About Us

We are Weframe Tech, a leading provider of open-source-based headless CMS and composable content solutions. Our mission is to empower businesses with scalable, flexible, and high-performance content management systems that drive growth and innovation.

Our Vision

To be the most trusted and innovative leader in open-source headless CMS and composable content technologies.

Why Work with Us?

• Expertise in Headless CMS Solutions: We specialize in Directus, Strapi, and other open-source headless CMS platforms, ensuring seamless content management for businesses of all sizes.
• Optimized Content Performance: Our solutions have enabled businesses to increase content engagement rates by 20% while reducing time-to-market for updates by over 40%.
• Tailored Strategy & Implementation: We customize our solutions to fit your specific business requirements, whether it’s multi-language content, structured data management, or API-driven personalization.