Question 1

Is Directus CMS open source and free for everyone?

Accepted Answer

Directus uses the BSL 1.1 license. This means it is completely free for organizations with less than 5M in annual revenue and fewer than 50 employees. For companies above that threshold, a commercial license is required from the Directus team. This model allows smaller companies to use world-class software for free while asking large enterprises to contribute. Opsily provides the managed hosting for either path, ensuring your infrastructure is always optimized and secure regardless of your licensing tier.

Question 2

How does Directus differ from Strapi or PayloadCMS?

Accepted Answer

The core difference is the database-first philosophy. Strapi and Payload often manage the database schema for you, sometimes creating complex migrations or forcing you into specific patterns. Directus is a transparent wrapper around your SQL database. If you already have a database with data in it, you can point Directus at it and get an instant API without changing a single row. This makes it the best choice for projects where data integrity and portability are the highest priorities.

Question 3

Can I migrate my existing content to Directus?

Accepted Answer

Yes, migration is one of the strongest features of Directus. Since it works with standard SQL databases like PostgreSQL or MySQL, you can import your data using any standard tool. Once your data is in the database, Directus will automatically discover your tables and fields. You can then use the Directus admin panel to configure how those fields are displayed and edited. This eliminates the need for complex, proprietary import scripts that other headless CMS platforms require.

Question 4

How do you handle security and updates?

Accepted Answer

We take a proactive approach to security. Every Directus instance is hosted in an isolated container environment to prevent cross-tenant vulnerabilities. We monitor for security advisories and apply patches as soon as they are tested and verified. Your data is backed up daily and stored in an encrypted off-site location. This means you get the benefits of a managed service without giving up the control of self-hosting. You can focus on your content while we defend the perimeter.

Question 5

How does self hosted Directus vs cloud pricing compare on Opsily?

Accepted Answer

On Opsily, we do not charge based on user seats or editor counts. Your only limits are the physical resources of the server plan you choose. A small plan can easily handle a team of dozens of editors, while larger plans are designed for high-traffic API requests. This predictable cost model is why many companies move away from SaaS providers like Contentful or Sanity. You can scale your operations without your software bill growing exponentially every time you hire a new marketing intern.

Question 6

What happens to my data if I decide to leave Opsily?

Accepted Answer

You own your data completely. Because Directus stores everything in a standard SQL database, you can export a full database dump at any time. You can take that dump and move it to your own on-premise servers or another cloud provider. There is no proprietary lock-in and no complex export process. We believe our service should keep you here because it is great, not because your data is held hostage. This total portability is a core pillar of our philosophy.

Question 7

Can Directus handle high-traffic production environments?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Directus is designed for performance. Because it sits directly on the database, there is very little overhead. We use optimized caching strategies and high-performance server hardware to ensure your API responses are lightning fast. For extremely high-traffic sites, you can scale your instance or connect a CDN to the Directus assets folder. It is currently used by major global brands to power everything from mobile apps to high-traffic news sites.

Directus CMS Hosting Without the Enterprise Tax

Why Developers and Founders Choose Directus CMS

The Better Way to Host Directus CMS

Instant Deployment

Automated Maintenance

Hardened Security

Your Journey to Data Ownership

Choose Your App

Choose Your Server

Automated Provisioning

Connect Your Frontend

Scale Globally

Trust & Compliance

GDPR Ready

Data Sovereignty

Isolated Instances

Encrypted Backups

Directus CMS FAQ

Ready to Reclaim Your Data?