Directus vs PocketBase: Which Backend Fits Your Team?
Both are open-source backends. One powers enterprise applications. The other powers side projects. Here's how to choose.
Directus vs PocketBase: Side-by-Side
Data sourced from GitHub, official pricing pages, and public documentation as of October 2026.
What Each Platform Does Best
Directus wraps your existing SQL database and turns it into an API. You bring the database, Directus provides the interface.
PocketBase is the opposite: one file, everything inside. SQLite database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, file storage. Deploy it anywhere that runs Go.
Choosing between them comes down to three questions:
1. Database Flexibility
Directus works with any SQL database: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, MSSQL, CockroachDB. If you have an existing database, Directus wraps it in a REST/GraphQL API with a no-code admin panel.
PocketBase is SQLite only. That single choice eliminates complexity. No schemas to manage. No migrations. This matters when you're one person shipping fast.
2. Maturity & Breaking Changes
Directus is stable. 45M+ downloads. 500K+ projects deployed. Teams run it in production. It will not introduce breaking changes that wreck your app next quarter.
PocketBase is still pre-v1.0. The developers reserve the right to break backward compatibility. That is explicitly stated. If that risk bothers you, Directus is safer.
3. The Cost of Ownership
Both are free to self-host. But self-hosting has costs: server time, DevOps overhead, backups, monitoring, updates. That is where price diverges.
PocketBase official has no cloud tier. Third-party managed options charge $5-10 per month (PocketHost) or $11 per month (Elestio) for a managed instance. Cheap. But storage is capped at 250MB databases.
Directus Cloud charges $99 per month for the Team tier. Self-hosted is free. The gap: you can run Directus on a managed VPS for $5-20 per month (Railway, Render). Or use Opsily for flat-rate Directus hosting optimized for teams.
Choose Directus if you're a team with complex data.
You have multiple databases, need granular permissions, or must comply with regulations. Directus scales with you.
Choose PocketBase if you're shipping an MVP alone.
You need a backend deployed in 5 minutes, not 5 days. Everything is in one file. No DevOps tax. Perfect for mobile apps and side projects.
Why Choose Opsily for Managed Directus?
If you picked Directus but don't want to manage it yourself, Opsily takes the infrastructure burden off your plate.
One-Click Deploy, Zero DevOps
Stop running Directus on fragile VPS servers or expensive Platform-as-a-Service tiers. Opsily manages your instance, your database, your backups, and your updates. You focus on building.
GDPR Compliance Built In
Data stays in German ISO 27001-certified data centers. No data residency gymnastics. Compliance checkbox is done. Your customers get clarity on where their data lives.
Predictable Pricing, No Surprises
Directus Cloud starts at $99 per month. Opsily flat-rate pricing scales with your team size, not your database queries. No bill shock when you grow.
Built for teams who need reliability
Deploy Directus on Opsily in 4 Steps
From signup to live API in under an hour.
Use your existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database, or let Opsily provision one. Both work.
One click. Opsily handles SSL certificates, networking, and security groups. Your Directus instance is live.
Use the Directus Studio UI to design collections, set permissions, and create workflows. No code required.
Use your existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database, or let Opsily provision one. Both work.
One click. Opsily handles SSL certificates, networking, and security groups. Your Directus instance is live.
Use the Directus Studio UI to design collections, set permissions, and create workflows. No code required.
Connect Your Database
Use your existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database, or let Opsily provision one. Both work.
Deploy Directus
One click. Opsily handles SSL certificates, networking, and security groups. Your Directus instance is live.
Build Your API
Use the Directus Studio UI to design collections, set permissions, and create workflows. No code required.
Ship Your App
Query your API from your frontend, mobile app, or third-party integrations. REST or GraphQL, your choice.
Directus Hosting Plans
Simple pricing that scales with your team. All plans include automated daily backups, GDPR compliance, and German data residency.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing and deploying Directus vs PocketBase.
Directus wraps any SQL database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle) and turns it into a REST/GraphQL API with a no-code admin interface. PocketBase is the opposite: a single Go executable with an embedded SQLite database, authentication, real-time subscriptions, and file storage all in one file. Directus is for teams with complex relational data. PocketBase is for shipping fast with minimal dependencies.
Security & Compliance You Can Trust
Your data is safe. Your infrastructure is auditable. Your compliance box is checked.
GDPR Compliant
All customer data processed under GDPR regulations. Right to access, deletion, and portability included.
German Data Centers
Your data stays in German data centers. No US jurisdiction. Full data residency control.
Automated Backups
Daily encrypted backups of your entire Directus instance. One-click restore if needed. Your data is never at risk.
SSL/TLS Encryption
All traffic to your Directus instance is encrypted end-to-end. Certificates are automatic and always valid.
DDoS Protection
Enterprise-grade DDoS mitigation built into every plan. Your API stays online even under attack.
Ready to Host Your Directus Backend?
Choose stability, compliance, and predictable pricing. Start your free trial today. No credit card required.