Top 10 Most Used Open-Source Headless CMS Platforms

What is a Traditional CMS?

What is a Headless CMS?

Main Difference Between Traditional CMS and Headless CMS

How They Work:

Limitations:

Top Headless CMS 

1. Strapi: 

Features:

• Flexibility: Plugin architecture allows for extending functionality with custom plugins.
• Developer-friendly: Built with Node.js, offering a familiar environment for developers.
• Open-source core: Offers a self-hosted option for developers who want maximum control.

Pricing:

2. Directus: 

Features:

• Drag-and-drop interface: Simplifies content creation and organization.
• Field-level permissions: Granular control over who can edit specific content fields.
• Version control: Allows reverting to previous versions of content in case of mistakes.

Pricing:

3. Payload CMS: 

Features:

• API-first approach: Access content through GraphQL for custom integrations.
• Deployment flexibility: Deploy to various hosting environments (cloud, self-hosted).
• Community and support: Benefit from a growing community and active support channels.

Pricing:

4. Decap CMS

Features:

• Git-first workflow: Seamless integration with your Git repository for version control.
• Jamstack compatibility: Optimized for building fast, secure, and scalable static websites.
• Platform-agnostic: Works with various static site generators (Gatsby, Next.js, Hugo, etc.).
• Real-time previews: Visualize changes instantly without saving.

Pricing:

5. Tina CMS: 

Features:

• Git-first CMS: Seamless integration with your Git repository for version control.
• Markdown support: Create and manage content using Markdown format
• Integration with static site generators: Works seamlessly with popular frameworks like Gatsby, Next.js, and Hugo.

Pricing:

6. Keystones JS: 

Features:

• API-first approach: Designed specifically for building content APIs for custom applications.
• Authentication and authorization: Built-in features for user authentication and access control.
• Highly customizable: Open-source nature allows for extensive customization by developers.

Pricing:

7. Sanity: 

Features:

• Structured content: Data is organized in a flexible schema, allowing for complex content models.
• GraphQL API: Enables efficient querying of content for building custom frontends.
• Global deployments: Easily manage content across multiple environments (staging, production).

Pricing:

8. Headless WordPress:

Features:

• Familiar interface: Leverage the WordPress dashboard for content management.
• Large plugin ecosystem: Expand functionality with thousands of available plugins.
• SEO optimization: Built-in tools for improving search engine visibility.
• Customizable themes: Choose from a vast array of themes or create your own.

Pricing:

9. Ghost: 

Features:

• Publishing platform focus: Optimized for creating blogs and online magazines.
• Markdown support: Efficient content formatting.
• SEO-friendly: Built-in tools for improving search engine visibility.
• Newsletter functionality: Helps to engage subscribers with email campaigns.
• Mobile optimization: Ensures content looks great on all devices.

Pricing 

10. dotCMS

Features:

• Flexible content modeling: Design custom content structures to your specific needs.
• Modular architecture: Develop custom modules for enhanced functionality and integrations.
• Performance optimization: Engineered for scalability and fast performance.
• Media management: Seamlessly manage images, videos, and other media assets.

Pricing

Wrapping Up! 

Things to consider when Choosing a CMS:

• Technical Expertise: Do you have an in-house development team, or do you need a user-friendly, code-free solution?
• Content Needs: What types of content will you be managing? Do you need features like e-commerce or user management?
• Budget: Free and open-source options exist, but paid plans often offer more features and support.