Directus vs Strapi
Self-host pick — both replace Contentful (Headless CMS).
Both Directus and Strapi self-host as a replacement for Contentful (Headless CMS). Pick Directus if you want a source-available-licensed codebase (BSL-1.1); pick Strapi for MIT (MIT). Both run in roughly the same cost bracket — $10/mo vps vs $10/mo vps for the app; postgres on the same box for small projects.
| Directusopen-source | Strapiopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | BSL-1.1 | MIT |
| Setup time | 15min docker-compose (Node + Postgres or MySQL) | 10min `npx create-strapi-app` + Postgres |
| Monthly cost | $10/mo VPS. | $10/mo VPS for the app; Postgres on the same box for small projects. |
| GitHub | directus/directus | strapi/strapi |
| Replaces | Contentful | Contentful |
Good fit for
Directus
Teams that want SQL-first content (BI tools can query the same Postgres) and need the CMS UI to match the existing schema.
Weak at:Localization workflow is functional but not as polished as Strapi's; rich-text editor is lighter.
Strapi
Most teams — Strapi has the largest ecosystem, plugin marketplace, and deepest localization support among OSS headless CMSs.
Weak at:Schema migrations between dev/prod environments need discipline — Strapi's content-type-builder writes to disk; in production you ship a deploy.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli contentful prints Contentful's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, Directus or Strapi?
Directus: 15min docker-compose (Node + Postgres or MySQL). Strapi: 10min `npx create-strapi-app` + Postgres.
What does each cost to run?
Directus: $10/mo VPS.. Strapi: $10/mo VPS for the app; Postgres on the same box for small projects.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do Directus and Strapi replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Contentful.