Directus turns any SQL database into a headless CMS with instant REST/GraphQL APIs and a no-code admin panel. Compare pricing, features, pros, and cons.
Category
CMS
Pricing
Freemium (free self-hosted core, paid cloud/team/enterprise tiers), from Free (self-hosted); Cloud from $99/month
Directus is an open-source, self-hostable data platform that turns any existing SQL database into a headless CMS, instantly generating REST and GraphQL APIs plus a no-code admin Studio for managing content, users, and permissions.
Originally rooted in a Flash-based database tool from 2004, Directus was rebuilt from the ground up in 2019 into the modern, database-first headless CMS now maintained by Monospace Inc., a company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
Key Features
Directus connects directly to PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite, and other SQL databases without requiring a data migration, and layers on role-based access control, Flows for workflow automation, an AI assistant, and a native MCP server for AI agent integration.
Because it wraps around a database a team already controls rather than owning a proprietary data store, organizations can adopt or remove Directus without losing or reformatting their underlying data.
Pricing
Directus offers a free self-hosted Core plan (3 seats, 25 collections, 5 flows), a Team plan at $499-$599/month with SSO and included cloud hosting, custom Enterprise pricing, and a free or discounted Open Innovation Grant tier for organizations under $5M in annual revenue.
Key Features
Database-first architecture — Connects to an existing SQL database and generates APIs without requiring a proprietary schema or data migration.
Instant REST and GraphQL APIs — Automatically exposes CRUD endpoints in both REST and GraphQL based on the connected database's structure.
No-code admin Studio — A visual interface for managing content, collections, and users without writing code.
Role-based access control — Granular permissions system for controlling who can read, write, or manage specific data and fields.
Flows automation builder — A visual workflow engine for triggering webhooks, emails, and data transformations based on events.
AI assistant and MCP server — Built-in AI tooling for content authoring plus a native Model Context Protocol server for AI agent integration.
Self-hosting or managed cloud — Deploy on your own infrastructure for free or use Directus's managed cloud hosting on paid plans.
SSO support — SAML and OIDC single sign-on available on Team and Enterprise plans.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Free self-hosting with no proprietary data lock-in
Works over an existing SQL database rather than requiring a migration
Generates both REST and GraphQL APIs automatically
No-code admin panel usable by non-developers alongside a full API for developers
Cons
Licensed under a source-available license (MSCL) rather than a fully permissive open-source license
Cloud and Team pricing ($499+/month) is significant for smaller teams needing hosted support
Collection and flow limits on lower tiers can require an upgrade as projects grow
Learning curve for teams unfamiliar with database-first (versus schema-first) CMS concepts
Team $499/month (annual) or $599/month (monthly) Monthly or annual
Enterprise Custom Custom
Open Innovation Grant Free (self-hosted) or $99/month (cloud) N/A / Monthly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Directus free to use?
Yes, the Core plan is free for self-hosting with 3 seats, 25 collections, and 5 flows; organizations under $5M in revenue may also qualify for the free or discounted Open Innovation Grant.
What databases does Directus support?
PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite, and other SQL-compatible database engines.
Is Directus open source?
Directus is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL) 1.0, which permits free self-hosting and commercial use for most organizations.
Who owns Directus?
Directus is developed and maintained by Monospace Inc., headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
Does Directus support GraphQL as well as REST?
Yes, Directus automatically generates both REST and GraphQL APIs from the connected database schema.
What is Directus's Open Innovation Grant?
A program offering free self-hosted access or discounted cloud hosting to organizations under roughly $5 million in annual revenue.