Strapi vs Directus
Both Strapi and Directus are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the cms & website builder space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Strapi
EU- Headquarters
- Paris, FR
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Directus
EU- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, NL
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Strapi offers a free tier, while directus offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Directus was founded in 2004, giving it a 11-year head start over Strapi (founded 2015). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Strapi offers Customizable admin panel and Content-type builder, while Directus provides REST and GraphQL APIs and Admin app. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Strapi | Directus |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Strapi | Directus |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Paris, FR | Amsterdam, NL |
| Data Centers | EU | EU |
| Customizable admin panel | ||
| Content-type builder | ||
| RESTful and GraphQL APIs | ||
| Media library | ||
| Role-based access control | ||
| Internationalization (i18n) | ||
| Draft and publish workflows | ||
| Plugin ecosystem | ||
| Multi-database support | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| REST and GraphQL APIs | ||
| Admin app | ||
| Custom dashboards | ||
| Flows automation | ||
| Role-based access | ||
| File management | ||
| Webhooks | ||
| Self-hosting |
Pricing Comparison
Strapi
Freefree / cloud hosting
Directus
Freefree (self-hosted) / cloud plans
Compliance Comparison
Strapi
GDPRDPA
Directus
GDPRDPA
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How to Choose
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Strapi
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Directus
Strapi vs Directus — FAQ
What is the main difference between Strapi and Directus?
Both Strapi and Directus are European cms & website builder solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Strapi uses free / cloud hosting pricing while Directus uses free (self-hosted) / cloud plans. Strapi is headquartered in Paris, France, while Directus is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Strapi or Directus?
Both Strapi and Directus offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free / cloud hosting vs. free (self-hosted) / cloud plans), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Strapi and Directus GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Strapi and Directus are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.