Headless CMS Directus: Database-First Content with No Vendor Lock-In
37k developers trust Directus. Auto-generate REST and GraphQL APIs from any SQL database. Free to self-host. Managed hosting from $99/mo. Compare Strapi, Sanity, and Contentful.
What Makes Headless CMS Different
A headless CMS is a backend-only content management system. Unlike WordPress or Drupal (traditional CMS), it has no built-in frontend template system. Instead, it provides content via APIs (REST or GraphQL) that you can connect to any frontend: web apps, mobile apps, IoT devices, or email marketing platforms. This separation means one content source powers multiple channels.
Why Directus Stands Out
Directus takes a database-first approach. It connects to your existing SQL database—PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS-SQL, Oracle, CockroachDB, or SQLite—and instantly generates REST and GraphQL APIs from your schema. No data migration. No new database to learn. If you already have a relational database, Directus wraps it with a no-code admin interface and automatic APIs.
Other headless CMS platforms (Strapi, Sanity, Contentful) use schema-first architecture: you define your content structure in their proprietary system, and they manage the database. That creates vendor lock-in: your data lives in their database with their rules.
Directus keeps your data portable. Self-host on any infrastructure. Export to standard SQL. No feature gating. The same open-source Core runs everywhere: on your server, on a managed VPS, or on Directus Cloud.
When to Choose Headless CMS
Use headless CMS when you need: multi-channel content delivery (web, app, IoT), JAMstack architecture (decoupled frontend), control over your frontend framework, or integration with existing databases. Avoid it if you need a simple blog (WordPress is cheaper) or are building a site template system (where traditional CMS excels).
Directus vs Strapi: The Database-First Difference
Directus connects to existing databases. Strapi creates new ones. Here's what that means for your team.
Pricing current as of July 2026. Directus Cloud: $99/mo. Strapi Cloud: $35-$450/mo depending on API calls.
Why Choose Opsily for Directus Hosting
Not just infrastructure. Peace of mind.
EU Data Residency
Your Directus data stays on German servers by default, meeting GDPR and data sovereignty requirements without extra setup. No data transfers to US cloud providers. GDPR compliance included with every plan. SOC 2 Type II certified. Automatic backups retain data locally, giving you full control over privacy.
Zero DevOps Required
Database provisioning, SSL certificates, backups, security updates, and monitoring happen automatically. You never SSH into a server. Self-hosting Directus yourself costs $200-$500/month in hidden team time; Opsily includes it in the hosting price. Deploy in 90 seconds. Scale with a click.
Data Stays Yours
Export your entire database anytime. No vendor lock-in. Directus is open-source; your content lives in standard SQL. Migrate to another host, another Directus setup, or another CMS without friction. You own the data—we manage the infrastructure.
Built for teams who need reliability
Directus Hosting Pricing
Start free with self-hosting, or go managed from $99/mo with EU data residency, daily backups, and 24/7 support included.
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Get Directus Running in 4 Steps
Choose Your App
Select an app to get started.
Create your database
Use your existing PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MariaDB database, or let Opsily provision one. Connect it to Directus in one click.
Deploy Directus
Select Directus from the Opsily app catalog. Configure environment variables. Opsily handles provisioning, SSL, and monitoring automatically.
Define your content schema
Directus auto-generates the admin interface from your database schema. Create tables, set permissions, invite team members. No coding required.
Query via APIs
Directus creates REST and GraphQL APIs automatically. Use them from your frontend, mobile app, or any third-party tool. Start building immediately.
Trust and Compliance Built In
Enterprise-grade security without the overhead.
SOC 2 Type II Certified
Directus and Opsily both meet SOC 2 Type II standards. Independent security audits confirm control over system and data integrity.
GDPR Compliant
EU data residency on managed hosting. Data Processing Agreement included. Field-level access controls for handling sensitive personal data securely.
Daily Automated Backups
Your Directus database and files are backed up daily and retained on EU infrastructure. Restore to any point-in-time without data loss.
Open-Source Transparency
37k stars on GitHub. Code is public and auditable. No hidden features or tracking. Security issues are reviewed by a global community.
Zero Vendor Lock-In
Your data lives in standard SQL. Export anytime. Self-host elsewhere. Directus is fully portable. Your content, your rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
A headless CMS separates content management from content delivery. Unlike traditional CMS like WordPress, it provides only the backend—you manage content through an admin interface, then distribute it via APIs to any frontend (web, mobile, IoT). Directus is a database-first headless CMS that auto-generates REST and GraphQL APIs from any SQL database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS-SQL, Oracle, etc.). It's perfect for JAMstack sites, multi-channel content strategies, or APIs-first applications. With 37k GitHub stars and 45M+ downloads, Directus is trusted by hundreds of thousands of projects worldwide.
Stop Paying for Features You Don't Use
Directus Core is free. Managed hosting starts at $99/mo with EU residency, daily backups, and 24/7 support included. No credit card required to start.