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Directus vs Sanity
Comparing two headless cms platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Directus — The modern data stack. Directus is an open-source platform that wraps any SQL database with a REST/GraphQL API and admin app.
Sanity — The composable content cloud. Sanity is a headless CMS with real-time collaboration, structured content, and the GROQ query language.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Directus | Sanity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $99/mo (cloud) | $15/user/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tier | Self-hosted free | 3 users, 10k docs |
| Image CDN | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | No |
| Localization | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Editing | No | Yes |
| Structured Content | Yes | Yes |
Directus
The modern data stack
Pros
- Wraps existing SQL databases
- Open source
- Flexible access control
Cons
- UI dense for non-technical editors
- Cloud pricing steep
Sanity
The composable content cloud
Pros
- Powerful structured content model
- Real-time collaboration
- Great image pipeline
Cons
- Per-user pricing adds up
- GROQ learning curve
Which should you choose?
Choose Directus if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Sanity if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Directus or Sanity?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Sanity is the safer default because Sanity has a larger community and more third-party integrations, which often translates to better long-term support. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Directus cheaper than Sanity?
Directus starts at $99/mo (cloud), while Sanity starts at $15/user/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Directus to Sanity?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Directus-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most headless cms migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Directus or Sanity open source?
Yes, both Directus and Sanity are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does Directus or Sanity have a free tier?
Both Directus and Sanity offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Sanity. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.