Strapi vs Directus: Headless CMS Comparison

Pick Based on How You Want to Define Content

Both are excellent self-hosted headless CMS platforms. The core difference: Strapi generates database tables from content types you define in its admin UI. Directus wraps an existing database — you can point it at any SQL database and it instantly generates a REST + GraphQL API for it. Strapi builds the database; Directus mirrors it.

For most new projects, Strapi’s approach is simpler. If you have an existing database you want to manage with a CMS layer, Directus is the obvious choice.

Overview

Strapi is the most popular open-source headless CMS. You define content types through the Content-Type Builder (visual UI or code), and Strapi generates REST and GraphQL endpoints automatically. Content is managed through a polished admin panel. The ecosystem includes a plugin marketplace, and the project is backed by a funded company (Strapi Inc.). strapi.io

Directus takes a “database-first” approach. It connects to any SQL database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MS SQL, MariaDB, CockroachDB) and automatically generates a real-time REST + GraphQL API for every table. The admin panel (Data Studio) lets non-technical users manage content without touching SQL. You can also create tables and fields through the admin UI. directus.io

Feature Comparison

Feature	Strapi v5.x	Directus 11.x
Content modeling	Code-first or visual builder	Database-first (wraps existing tables)
REST API	Yes (auto-generated)	Yes (auto-generated, real-time)
GraphQL API	Yes (plugin)	Yes (built-in)
Real-time (WebSockets)	No	Yes (built-in subscriptions)
Database support	PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite	PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MS SQL, MariaDB, CockroachDB
Existing database support	No (creates its own schema)	Yes (mirrors any existing database)
Admin UI	Content Manager + Content-Type Builder	Data Studio (spreadsheet-like)
User roles & permissions	Customizable	Granular, field-level permissions
File management	Upload providers (local, S3, Cloudinary)	Built-in DAM (S3, local, GCS, Azure)
i18n / localization	Built-in	Built-in
Webhooks	Yes	Yes
Custom flows/automation	Via lifecycle hooks (code)	Visual Flows editor (no-code)
Plugin ecosystem	Marketplace (community plugins)	Extensions (hooks, endpoints, modules)
Email templates	No	Built-in (Liquid templates)
Language	Node.js (Koa)	Node.js (Express)
License	MIT (Community), proprietary (Enterprise)	BSL 1.1 (3-year rolling open-source)

Architecture Difference

This is the fundamental technical distinction:

Strapi creates the database schema. When you add a “Blog Post” content type with fields for title, body, author, and published date, Strapi creates a blog_posts table with those columns. The schema is owned and managed by Strapi. If you want to change the schema, you do it through Strapi.

Directus mirrors the database schema. You can point Directus at an existing PostgreSQL database with 50 tables and it immediately provides an API and admin UI for all of them. You can also create tables through Directus, but it never locks you in — the database is the source of truth, and Directus is a layer on top.

Practical implications:

Scenario	Strapi	Directus
New project, no existing database	Clean, fast setup	Clean setup (creates tables via UI)
Existing database, need CMS layer	Not supported	Point and go
Multiple apps sharing one database	Awkward (Strapi owns the schema)	Natural fit
Want to query DB directly	Possible but risky	Encouraged
Remove CMS, keep database	Schema remains but tightly coupled	Database unchanged

Setup Comparison

Strapi:

services:
  strapi:
    image: strapi/strapi:v5.36.1
    container_name: strapi
    ports:
      - "1337:1337"
    environment:
      DATABASE_CLIENT: postgres
      DATABASE_HOST: strapi-db
      DATABASE_PORT: 5432
      DATABASE_NAME: strapi
      DATABASE_USERNAME: strapi
      DATABASE_PASSWORD: change-this-password
      APP_KEYS: key1,key2,key3,key4
      API_TOKEN_SALT: change-this-salt
      ADMIN_JWT_SECRET: change-this-jwt
      JWT_SECRET: change-this-jwt
    depends_on:
      - strapi-db
    restart: unless-stopped

  strapi-db:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: strapi
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: change-this-password
      POSTGRES_DB: strapi
    volumes:
      - strapi-db-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  strapi-db-data:

Directus:

services:
  directus:
    image: directus/directus:11.5.0
    container_name: directus
    ports:
      - "8055:8055"
    environment:
      SECRET: change-this-secret-at-least-256-bits
      ADMIN_EMAIL: [email protected]
      ADMIN_PASSWORD: change-this-password
      DB_CLIENT: pg
      DB_HOST: directus-db
      DB_PORT: 5432
      DB_DATABASE: directus
      DB_USER: directus
      DB_PASSWORD: change-this-password
      WEBSOCKETS_ENABLED: "true"
    depends_on:
      - directus-db
    restart: unless-stopped

  directus-db:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: directus
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: change-this-password
      POSTGRES_DB: directus
    volumes:
      - directus-db-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  directus-db-data:

Both deploy similarly. Directus requires fewer environment variables to get started. First-time setup in both cases takes you to an admin panel where you can start defining content.

Resource Usage

Resource	Strapi	Directus
RAM (app)	300–600 MB	200–400 MB
RAM (database)	100–200 MB (PostgreSQL)	100–200 MB (PostgreSQL)
CPU	Low–moderate	Low
Disk	~500 MB + content	~300 MB + content

Directus is slightly lighter because it’s a thinner layer — it doesn’t generate code or maintain a build pipeline for content types.

Automation and Workflows

Strapi uses lifecycle hooks (code-based). When a content entry is created, updated, or deleted, you write JavaScript handlers. Powerful but requires development.

Directus has a visual Flows editor — a no-code automation builder similar to n8n. You can create workflows triggered by CRUD events, schedules, or webhooks. Each flow is a chain of operations (send email, call webhook, transform data, update another collection). This is significantly more accessible to non-developers.

Choose Strapi If…

• You’re starting a new project with no existing database
• You prefer code-first content modeling
• The plugin marketplace matters (more third-party integrations)
• You want a larger community and more tutorials/examples
• MIT license is important (Directus uses BSL 1.1)

Choose Directus If…

• You have an existing database you need a CMS for
• Multiple applications share the same database
• Non-developers need to create automated workflows (visual Flows)
• Real-time data (WebSocket subscriptions) is a requirement
• You need field-level permission granularity
• You want the lightest possible CMS layer over your data

Verdict

Directus is the more versatile tool. Its database-first approach means it works with existing systems, its Flows editor makes automation accessible, and real-time subscriptions are built in. The BSL 1.1 license is the only material downside — it converts to open source after 3 years, but current versions are source-available rather than truly open source.

Strapi is the safer community pick. Larger ecosystem, more tutorials, MIT license, and a straightforward content-type builder that works well for new projects. If you don’t have an existing database and don’t need real-time APIs, Strapi is simpler to get started with.

FAQ

Can Directus work with a Strapi database?

Technically yes — you could point Directus at the PostgreSQL database Strapi created. But Strapi’s schema includes internal tables and naming conventions that would clutter the Directus interface. It’s not a practical migration path.

Does Strapi support real-time updates?

Not natively. You’d need to implement WebSocket functionality yourself or use a plugin. Directus has real-time subscriptions built into both REST and GraphQL APIs.

Which is better for e-commerce?

Neither is an e-commerce platform. Both can serve as the content backend for a custom e-commerce frontend (product descriptions, categories, blog content). Strapi has more e-commerce-focused community plugins. Directus’s Flows can automate order-related workflows without code.

Related

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• How to Self-Host Directus
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• Best Self-Hosted CMS