Directus
directus.ioBuild Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
The Headless CMS + Backend for Every Custom Build
How to Replace DirectusOverview
Features
65 features across 11 categories
AI(2)
Built-in AI assistant that writes, translates, and takes action on content directly with same permissions and governance as human users
Connect any AI tool to your Directus data in seconds with native Model Context Protocol support
Content(10)
Save and share custom layouts and filters with bookmarks for quick access to frequently used data views
Track content history and never lose important changes with ability to review and restore previous versions
Control publishing with content versioning to track revisions, compare versions, and rollback when needed
Easily move data in and out of Directus to facilitate data migration and integration with other systems
Browse data with built-in interfaces like Kanban, calendar views, and more or build custom layouts
Edit content directly in its context with intuitive WYSIWYG interface
Preview changes right alongside content before publishing to your site
Serve content in any language and reach a global audience with multi-language support
Manage global settings with singletons to centralize configuration management and site-wide content
Content editors can easily update all website content inline
Engine(19)
Leverage automatic Create, Read, Update, Delete operations for rapid application development
Implement custom validation logic to maintain high-quality, consistent data
Validate data to maintain quality and consistency
Automatically sync Directus data with external databases for backup or integration purposes
Direct access to your database for advanced use cases
Use dynamic variables to populate data across application, reducing redundancy
Layer Directus on top of existing data without migration headaches
Dedicated API for managing images and assets
Get fully documented GraphQL APIs immediately upon connecting a database with no boilerplate or code generation
Get fully documented REST APIs immediately upon connecting a database with no boilerplate or code generation
JavaScript SDK for easier integration
Use lightweight, modular SDK to quickly integrate Directus into applications
Support for Postgres, MySQL, MS SQL, SQLite, and more with data always staying in your database
Easily integrate Directus with other tools and services to accelerate builds
Grab relational data in one API call to reduce load times and improve performance
Manage database changes across environments with built-in migration support
Lock specific versions to maintain consistency and control deployment
Catch webhooks from other systems to create a hub for connecting all your data
Send webhooks when certain events happen to integrate with external systems like CRMs, Billing, and Accounting
Extensibility(1)
Build custom endpoints, hooks, interfaces, and modules to extend functionality
File Library(4)
Easily set focal points for dynamic image cropping, saving time on manual adjustments
Organize content logically with familiar folder structure to improve discoverability and management
Resize and scale images with ease using URL parameters for quality and type optimizations
Store files locally or with any cloud provider using S3 compatible storage drivers
Flows(4)
Build automations that trigger on data changes, schedules, or manual input and connect external services without code
Run JavaScript when needed to add custom logic to workflows and execute complex operations
Send transactional emails from your workflows
Automate repetitive tasks without coding with full workflow editor that triggers on data changes, schedules, or manual input
Insights(2)
Advanced analytics and insights module for data visualization
Create insightful data visualizations and build custom dashboards to monitor key metrics without coding
Marketplace(2)
Customize anything with extensions to extend Directus and fit unique needs
Expand functionality with community contributions and discover custom interfaces, layouts, modules, and hooks
Realtime(1)
Build responsive, real-time applications using WebSocket connections for live data updates
Security(6)
GDPR compliance with Data Processing Agreement
Define custom permissions at granular level to ensure data security and compliance
Single sign on with OAuth, OpenID, or LDAP to simplify access management and security
Granular, role-based permissions down to the field level to give every user and service exactly the access they need
Single sign on with SAML protocol
Secure application with robust user authentication
Studio(14)
Choose from over 35 custom field types to create rich, flexible data models
Track all system changes for accountability and monitor user actions and system events
Find exact data needed fast with powerful search capabilities and granular filtering options
Efficiently modify multiple items at once to save time and reduce errors
Encourage team collaboration directly within content for approval processes and feedback
Create dynamic forms based on user input with ability to show or hide fields dynamically
Tailor the view per role so content editors and developers see what they need without getting in each other's way
Present data in meaningful ways with custom display formats for fields
Combine flexibility of a page builder with structure of data models for non-technical team members to create and modify data
Collaborate without language barriers with localized admin experience for international teams
Protect data with soft delete to safeguard against accidental data loss and easily recover deleted items
Policy-based user management to apply granular permissions at scale
Create and modify data models with a user-friendly interface without SQL required
100% white-labelable with custom logos, fonts, and colors to match your brand or customer's brand
Pricing
Professional
Popular- ✓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 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
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
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 ValueBuild Your Own
Buying Directus saves ~$38,280 over 3 years vs building.
Estimates based on 65 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.