Headless CMS: Directus vs Payload vs Strapi in 2024
Tags: programming, node, tutorial, webdev
Published: 2024-04-05 12:34:05

## Choosing A CMS in 2024

As headless content management systems (CMS) continue to gain popularity, developers are faced with an array of options to choose from. Three prominent contenders in the headless CMS space are Directus, Payload, and Strapi. In this article, we'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each platform to help you make an informed decision for your project in 2024.

### Directus

![directus.io](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xj7dyh3oy7zz1aafdvby.png)

Directus is an open-source headless CMS known for its flexibility and extensibility. It offers a comprehensive set of features out-of-the-box, including a built-in GraphQL API, robust permission management, and a user-friendly admin interface.

**Pros:**

- Highly customizable and extensible via hooks, extensions, and custom interfaces
- Strong community support and active development
- Excellent documentation and learning resources
- Self-hosted or cloud-hosted options available

**Cons:**

- Slightly steeper learning curve compared to some alternatives
- Limited built-in email and notification functionality
- Fewer pre-built integrations compared to Strapi

As of April 2024, Directus' [GitHub](https://github.com/directus/directus) repository has accumulated 25.2k stars and 3.5k forks, showcasing its active community. The project has secured $8+ million in funding, further fueling its growth and development.

Directus shines when it comes to database support, offering compatibility with six different database clients, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, SQLite3, and CockroachDB. This flexibility allows developers to leverage their preferred database technology seamlessly.

{% embed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viURaw3oiBA
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### Payload

![Payload](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/n4v5041dfmhf4vgq0zms.jpg)

Payload is a newer player in the headless CMS space, but it has quickly gained traction for its simplicity and developer-friendly approach. It prioritizes a straightforward and intuitive developer experience, making it a great choice for teams looking to hit the ground running.

**Pros:**

- Exceptional developer experience with a clean and well-documented codebase
- Excellent performance and scalability out-of-the-box
- Simple and intuitive configuration and customization
- Strong focus on developer ergonomics and productivity

**Cons:**

- Smaller community and ecosystem compared to more established options
- Limited built-in functionality for complex use cases
- Relatively new, with potential for breaking changes in future releases

Despite being a relatively newer player, Payload's [GitHub](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload) repository has accumulated 18.8k stars and 1.1K forks as of April 2024, reflecting its growing community. The project has also secured $5.6 million in funding, positioning it for continued growth and innovation.

Payload offers native support for PostgreSQL and MongoDB databases, catering to developers who prefer working with these popular database technologies.

{% embed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In_lFhzmbME %}

### Strapi


![strapi.io](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/atgy478i0tphhjrexpfq.png)

Strapi is one of the most popular and well-established headless CMS options. It boasts a rich feature set, a vast ecosystem of plugins and integrations, and a vibrant community of users and contributors.

**Pros:**

- Extensive plugin ecosystem for added functionality
- Large and active community for support and resources
- Robust built-in features like role-based access control, internationalization, and content previewing
- Strong focus on developer experience and documentation

**Cons:**

- Potentially more complex and resource-intensive for smaller projects
- Steeper learning curve for some developers due to the breadth of features
- Performance and scalability limitations without proper configuration and optimization

As of April 2024, Strapi's [GitHub](https://github.com/strapi/strapi) repository has garnered 59.7k stars and 7.5k forks, showcasing its widespread adoption. The project has also secured a substantial $45+ million in funding, cementing its position as a prominent player in the headless CMS space.

In terms of database support, Strapi offers compatibility with four database clients: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and SQLite, covering the most commonly used relational databases.

Strapi (Headless CMS) Crash Course
{% embed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KttoG7wDJP0 %}

When choosing between these headless CMS options in 2024, consider factors such as your project's complexity, the size of your development team, the importance of performance and scalability, and the level of community support you require. Directus may be the ideal choice for projects that require extensive customization and extensibility, while Payload could be the perfect fit for teams prioritizing developer productivity and simplicity. Strapi, on the other hand, shines for larger projects that can benefit from its rich ecosystem and extensive feature set.

Ultimately, the best headless CMS for your project will depend on your specific needs and priorities. Share with us in the comments section what CMS you prefer to use as your go-to option.

Feel free to follow the links below to view my Open Source Projects and more. ✌️

[travislord.xyz](https://travislord.xyz/)
[github.com/lilxyzz](https://github.com/lilxyzz)