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It's a split decision.
Choose Directus if your team already has a database schema and wants generated REST and GraphQL APIs, a no-code admin, and MCP access under existing role policies. Choose Strapi if you want an MIT-licensed Node.js framework for defining content models and customizing backend logic and the admin. Both support self-hosting and cloud deployment. Directus Cloud prices around seats, collections, and flows; Strapi Cloud prices around API requests, storage, and bandwidth.
01Side by side
| Directus | Strapi | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Cloud plans scale by seats, collections, and flows | Cloud tiers bundle per-project requests, storage, and bandwidth |
| Free tier | Grant offers free self-hosting to qualifying organizations | No free Cloud plan; self-hosting is available |
| Open source and licence | Licence not stated on homepage | Open source under the MIT licence |
| Self-hosting | Self-host on your own infrastructure | Self-host on your own servers |
| API | Generates REST and GraphQL APIs from a database | Generates REST and GraphQL APIs from content models |
| Integrations | Native MCP; names Claude Desktop, Cursor, and ChatGPT | MCP plus reviewed Marketplace plugins and integrations |
| Deployment model | Directus Cloud or self-hosted | Strapi Cloud or self-hosted |
| Limits and scaling | Plans specify seats, collections, and flows | Cloud plans specify request, storage, and bandwidth limits |
Directus Choose Directus if
- Choose Directus if your existing database schema should remain the source of truth.
- Choose Directus if you need generated REST and GraphQL APIs.
- Choose Directus if AI clients should use existing role-based access policies.
Strapi Choose Strapi if
- Choose Strapi if you want an MIT-licensed, open-source framework.
- Choose Strapi if your team builds content models in Node.js.
- Choose Strapi if custom controllers, services, and middleware are core requirements.
02Pricing at real usage
Directus has a 14-day trial and an Open Innovation Grant for qualifying organizations: under $5 million in annual revenue and fewer than 50 employees. The grant allows free self-hosting; its Cloud option is $99/month. Core is $99 monthly or $89/month billed yearly, with three seats, 25 collections, and five flows. Team lists $698 monthly or $588 billed yearly for 10 SSO seats. Its plan card conflicts with an FAQ price, so confirm the current quote. Extra Team seats cost $50 each/month.
Strapi has no free Cloud plan. Starter is $35 per project/month for 100,000 API requests, 50 GB storage, and 50 GB monthly bandwidth. Pro is $90 for 1 million requests; Business is $450 for 10 million. Overage rates include $1.50 per 25,000 requests, $0.60/GB storage, and $30 per 100 GB bandwidth. Self-hosting avoids Cloud plan charges, but your team pays infrastructure and operations costs.
03API, SDKs and integration
Directus connects to an existing database and generates REST and GraphQL APIs while leaving the schema as built, per its homepage. Its no-code admin manages data, and its native MCP server connects compatible tools, including Claude Desktop, Cursor, and ChatGPT. Directus says AI agents use the same role-based access policies as human users. Its homepage shows the CLI command npx directus-template-cli@latest init and links to API docs. Check the docs for client libraries and language-specific integration details.
Strapi is a Node.js content framework: define content types, components, and dynamic zones, then expose them through REST or GraphQL. Developers can add controllers, services, and middleware, and customize the admin. Its CLI starts projects with npx create-strapi-app@latest; its Marketplace offers reviewed plugins and integrations. Strapi’s homepage says its MCP is generally available. Strapi Cloud can deploy from a GitHub repository; Directus offers Directus Cloud or self-hosting.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
Strapi is open source under the MIT licence and can run on your own servers or Strapi Cloud. Teams can modify its Node.js backend and admin panel, but custom controllers, services, middleware, and admin changes may add migration work if you leave the framework.
Directus supports self-hosting or Directus Cloud and connects to your database. Its homepage says the schema stays as built, without an abstraction layer; it does not state a licence. Neither vendor publishes export-tooling details on its homepage. Before committing, verify database dumps, asset handling, and how customizations map to another backend. Directus’s database-first approach may reduce schema translation when leaving, while Strapi content models and application code need an exit plan.
Questions people ask
Should I choose Directus or Strapi for an existing database?
Directus is the closer fit when your team already owns a database schema and wants generated REST and GraphQL APIs plus a no-code admin. It connects to the database directly. Strapi fits teams that want to define content types in a Node.js framework and extend controllers, services, middleware, and the admin.
Can I self-host both Directus and Strapi?
Yes. Directus supports self-hosting on your infrastructure or Directus Cloud. Strapi is MIT-licensed and can run on your servers or Strapi Cloud. Self-hosting shifts infrastructure, backups, upgrades, security, and operations to your team; Cloud plan prices are separate.
Which is cheaper, Directus or Strapi?
Strapi Cloud starts at $35 per project monthly, with request, storage, and bandwidth allowances plus paid overages. Directus Cloud starts at $89/month billed yearly or $99 monthly, with seats, collections, and flows. Eligible small organizations can qualify for free Directus self-hosting; compare expected usage and infrastructure costs.
Do Directus and Strapi support MCP?
Both offer MCP. Directus has a native MCP server and names Claude Desktop, Cursor, and ChatGPT as compatible tools. Strapi’s homepage says Strapi MCP is generally available. Directus also applies its role-based access policies to AI agents, according to its product facts.