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Directus

Score9 out of 10

2 Reviews and Ratings

What is Directus?

Directus is an Open Data Platform for managing the content of any SQL database. It provides an API layer (REST & GraphQL) for developers and a no-code App for non-technical users. Written entirely in JavaScript, Directus is open-source, modular, and extensible, allowing it to be fully tailored to a project's needs.

Directus dynamically generates custom API endpoints based on an SQL database's schema in real-time — something the vendor states they call "Database Mirroring". Whether installing fresh or on top of an existing database, the user can avoid vendor lock-in by always maintaining end-to-end control over actual database (tables, columns, datatypes, defaults, indexes, relationships, etc).

Directus is presented as a simple solution for complex problems, with a data-first approach guided by the following core principles:

  • Pure — There is no predefined model or proprietary rules for schema, and all system settings are stored separately.
  • Open — The entire codebase is public and transparent, allowing for end-to-end audits. Nothing is obfuscated or black-boxed.
  • Portable — Data is stored in bespoke databases and can be migrated/exported/backed-up at any time. Absolutely no vendor lock-in.
  • Limitless — Create unlimited users, roles, languages, collections, and items. No arbitrary restrictions or paywall limitations.
  • Extensible — Every aspect of the platform is modular, allowing you to adapt, customize, and infinitely extend the Core engine.
  • Unopinionated — Choose your database (all SQL vendors), API (REST or GraphQL), and infra (self-hosted or Cloud).

Directus is available free and open-source.

Videos

Screenshots

Screenshot of Collection Page — This is the main gateway to your content items, providing a highly configurable Layout for browsing and visualizing the items within a collection. The header of this page includes key action buttons for creating, deleting, and batch editing items.
Screenshot of Item Detail Page — Most Collection Detail Layouts support navigating to individual item detail pages where you a presented with a customizable form for viewing/editing the item's content.
Screenshot of File Library — This module aggregates all files within the project into one consolidated library. This page has the same features and configuration as Collection Detail.
Screenshot of Settings > Role Permissions — Directus includes an extremely granular, filter-based permissions system for controlling access.
Screenshot of In-App Docs — This module is an internal set of guides, concepts, and reference docs for your project's specific version of Directus. It also includes a dynamic API Reference that is dynamically tailored to your custom schema.

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Screenshot of Collection Page — This is the main gateway to your content items, providing a highly configurable Layout for browsing and visualizing the items within a collection. The header of this page includes key action buttons for creating, deleting, and batch editing items.

Product Demos

Technical Details

Technical Details
Deployment TypesOn-Premise, SaaS
Operating SystemsWindows, Linux, Mac
Mobile ApplicationMobile Web
Supported CountriesGlobal
Supported LanguagesEnglish, German, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai

FAQs

What are Directus's top competitors?
Contentful, Strapi, and Sanity are common alternatives for Directus.
Who uses Directus?
The most common users of Directus are from B2B.