# Directus review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/directus
Website: https://directus.com/

Data platform that turns SQL databases into a headless CMS and API

Directus is a data platform that adds a headless CMS, admin app and API on top of an existing SQL database such as PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQLite. It is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License, and the Core plan is free to self-host.

Directus wraps an existing SQL database with an admin app, a headless CMS layer and an API, so teams can manage data without writing a backend from scratch. Its GitHub project lists support for MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite and Microsoft SQL Server.

Directus is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0, not an open-source license, and its pricing page offers a Core plan at $0 with limits on seats and collections. The Team plan is $499 a month, and Enterprise pricing is custom. The vendor says the product is free for individuals and small organizations. It suits teams that already have a SQL database and want a no-code admin layer on top.

- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web, Self-hosted
- Price: Core plan $0 with seat and collection limits; Team $499 a month
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Works on top of an existing SQL database
- Core plan is free to self-host

## Limits

- Source-available, not open source
- Team plan costs $499 a month

## Rankings

- #4 of 6 in [best Headless CMS platforms](https://listme.name/best/headless-cms), score 86.5: Adds a headless CMS and admin app to an existing SQL database, with a free Core plan you can self-host. It is source-available rather than open source, and the Team plan costs $499 a month.

## Alternatives

- [Strapi](https://listme.name/software/strapi), score 91.0
- [Payload](https://listme.name/software/payload-cms), score 89.5
- [Sanity](https://listme.name/software/sanity), score 88.0
- [Storyblok](https://listme.name/software/storyblok), score 84.0
- [Hygraph](https://listme.name/software/hygraph), score 82.5