Directus

directus.io
Content Management System
Few Days

The Headless CMS + Backend for Every Custom Build

How to Replace Directus

Overview

Directus turns your database into a shared platform where developers, content teams, and AI all work on the same live data. It provides a production-ready backend with instant GraphQL and REST APIs, visual data modeling, and granular access control. The platform works with any SQL database and includes AI-ready features, automation workflows, and extensibility through custom code.

Features

65 features across 11 categories

AI(2)

AI AssistantAI

Built-in AI assistant that writes, translates, and takes action on content directly with same permissions and governance as human users

Native MCP ServerAI

Connect any AI tool to your Directus data in seconds with native Model Context Protocol support

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

Content(10)

Bookmark Views

Save and share custom layouts and filters with bookmarks for quick access to frequently used data views

Content History and Revisions

Track content history and never lose important changes with ability to review and restore previous versions

Content Versioning

Control publishing with content versioning to track revisions, compare versions, and rollback when needed

CSV/JSON Import and Export

Easily move data in and out of Directus to facilitate data migration and integration with other systems

Customizable Data Layouts

Browse data with built-in interfaces like Kanban, calendar views, and more or build custom layouts

Inline Content Editing

Edit content directly in its context with intuitive WYSIWYG interface

Live Preview

Preview changes right alongside content before publishing to your site

Multi-Language Support

Serve content in any language and reach a global audience with multi-language support

Singletons

Manage global settings with singletons to centralize configuration management and site-wide content

Visually Edit Content

Content editors can easily update all website content inline

Also in: Squarespace, Hunter, Notion

Engine(19)

CRUD Operations

Leverage automatic Create, Read, Update, Delete operations for rapid application development

Custom Validation

Implement custom validation logic to maintain high-quality, consistent data

Data ValidationPremium

Validate data to maintain quality and consistency

Database Mirroring

Automatically sync Directus data with external databases for backup or integration purposes

Direct Database AccessPremium

Direct access to your database for advanced use cases

Dynamic Variables

Use dynamic variables to populate data across application, reducing redundancy

Existing Database Layer

Layer Directus on top of existing data without migration headaches

Image & Asset API

Dedicated API for managing images and assets

Instant GraphQL APIs

Get fully documented GraphQL APIs immediately upon connecting a database with no boilerplate or code generation

Instant REST APIs

Get fully documented REST APIs immediately upon connecting a database with no boilerplate or code generation

JavaScript SDK

JavaScript SDK for easier integration

Modular SDK

Use lightweight, modular SDK to quickly integrate Directus into applications

Multi-Database Support

Support for Postgres, MySQL, MS SQL, SQLite, and more with data always staying in your database

OpenAPI Specification

Easily integrate Directus with other tools and services to accelerate builds

Relational Data Fetching

Grab relational data in one API call to reduce load times and improve performance

Schema Migration Tools

Manage database changes across environments with built-in migration support

Version LockingPremium

Lock specific versions to maintain consistency and control deployment

Webhook Ingestion

Catch webhooks from other systems to create a hub for connecting all your data

Webhooks

Send webhooks when certain events happen to integrate with external systems like CRMs, Billing, and Accounting

Also in: Apache Spark

Extensibility(1)

Custom Code Extensions

Build custom endpoints, hooks, interfaces, and modules to extend functionality

Also in: Labelbox, Obsidian, WordPress.com

File Library(4)

Focal Point Editor

Easily set focal points for dynamic image cropping, saving time on manual adjustments

Folder Organization

Organize content logically with familiar folder structure to improve discoverability and management

Image Resizing and Scaling

Resize and scale images with ease using URL parameters for quality and type optimizations

S3 Compatible File Storage

Store files locally or with any cloud provider using S3 compatible storage drivers

Flows(4)

Automation Builder

Build automations that trigger on data changes, schedules, or manual input and connect external services without code

Custom JavaScript Execution

Run JavaScript when needed to add custom logic to workflows and execute complex operations

Transactional EmailsPremium

Send transactional emails from your workflows

Visual Workflow Automation

Automate repetitive tasks without coding with full workflow editor that triggers on data changes, schedules, or manual input

Insights(2)

Insights ModulePremium

Advanced analytics and insights module for data visualization

No-Code Dashboards

Create insightful data visualizations and build custom dashboards to monitor key metrics without coding

Marketplace(2)

Custom Extensions

Customize anything with extensions to extend Directus and fit unique needs

Extensions Marketplace

Expand functionality with community contributions and discover custom interfaces, layouts, modules, and hooks

Realtime(1)

Real-Time APIs

Build responsive, real-time applications using WebSocket connections for live data updates

Security(6)

Data Processing Agreement (GDPR)Premium

GDPR compliance with Data Processing Agreement

Granular Permissions

Define custom permissions at granular level to ensure data security and compliance

OAuth/OpenID/LDAP SSO

Single sign on with OAuth, OpenID, or LDAP to simplify access management and security

Policy-Based Access Control

Granular, role-based permissions down to the field level to give every user and service exactly the access they need

SAML SSOPremium

Single sign on with SAML protocol

User Authentication

Secure application with robust user authentication

Studio(14)

35+ Custom Field Types

Choose from over 35 custom field types to create rich, flexible data models

Activity Log

Track all system changes for accountability and monitor user actions and system events

Advanced Search and Filtering

Find exact data needed fast with powerful search capabilities and granular filtering options

Bulk Update

Efficiently modify multiple items at once to save time and reduce errors

Collaborative Commenting

Encourage team collaboration directly within content for approval processes and feedback

Conditional Fields

Create dynamic forms based on user input with ability to show or hide fields dynamically

Customizable UI

Tailor the view per role so content editors and developers see what they need without getting in each other's way

Display Templates

Present data in meaningful ways with custom display formats for fields

Dynamic Page Builder

Combine flexibility of a page builder with structure of data models for non-technical team members to create and modify data

Multi-Lingual Admin Panel

Collaborate without language barriers with localized admin experience for international teams

Soft Delete Protection

Protect data with soft delete to safeguard against accidental data loss and easily recover deleted items

User Management

Policy-based user management to apply granular permissions at scale

Visual Data Modeling

Create and modify data models with a user-friendly interface without SQL required

White Label Customization

100% white-labelable with custom logos, fonts, and colors to match your brand or customer's brand

Pricing

Professional

Popular
$99/mo
  • 5 Studio Users Included
  • 75,000 DB Entries
  • 250,000 API requests
  • 500 GB API Bandwidth
  • 500 MB Asset Size
  • 150 GB Total File Storage
  • 3 Region Availability
  • Shared Database Server
  • Shared Application Servers
  • Shared Asset Storage
  • Shared Cache Server
  • Shared Networking
  • Partial Custom Domain
  • Automatic Updates
  • Community Support

Enterprise

Custom
  • Custom Studio Users
  • Custom DB Entries
  • Custom API Requests
  • Custom API Bandwidth
  • Custom Asset Size
  • Custom Total File Storage
  • 20+ Region Availability
  • Dedicated Database Server
  • Dedicated Application Servers
  • Dedicated Asset Storage
  • Dedicated Cache Server
  • Dedicated Networking
  • Fully Custom Domain
  • Automatic Updates
  • Multiple Environments
  • Premium Support
  • SLAs
  • Data Validation
  • Insights Module
  • Flows
  • Automation
  • Transactional Emails
  • Marketplace Extensions
  • Custom Extensions
  • Version Locking
  • Data Processing Agreement (GDPR)
  • OAuth2 & OpenID (SSO)
  • SAML (SSO)
  • LDAP (SSO)
  • Direct Database Access

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Directus

Monthly$99/mo
Yearly$1.2k/yr
5-Year Total$5.9k

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~7 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyEasy

Total Cost Comparison

1 YearSave $948
SaaS
$1.2k
DIY
$240
3 YearsSave $2.8k
SaaS
$3.6k
DIY
$720
5 YearsSave $4.7k
SaaS
$5.9k
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 65 features at easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Directus alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 65 features.

Buy Directus

Better Value
Monthly cost$990/mo
3-year total$35,640
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$48,000
Maintenance$720/mo
3-year total$73,920
Dev time~4 months

Buying Directus saves ~$38,280 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 65 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.