Directus

Headless CMS and backend platform — connect your SQL database, get instant APIs and a visual data workspace.

directus.io

Verified API available Works with n8n Free tier

Quick facts
What is it	Headless CMS and backend platform — connect your SQL database, get instant APIs and a visual data workspace.
Pricing	Freemium
Free tier	Yes
Platform	Web Application
API	Yes
Works with	n8n
Best for	Building a custom backend for a web or mobile app, Creating a collaborative content management system for a team
Domain registered	2015

Data updated Aug. 1, 2026

What does Directus do?

Directus is a headless CMS and backend platform that turns your existing SQL database into a complete application backend. You connect your database—Postgres, MySQL, SQLite, or others—and Directus instantly provides a visual interface to model your data, along with fully documented GraphQL and REST APIs. Your data stays in your own database; the platform layers on the tools to manage and access it. This approach gives developers full control over the schema while providing a ready-made admin suite.

What sets Directus apart is its focus on being a collaborative workspace. It provides granular permissions, allowing you to create custom views and dashboards for different team roles. Content editors get a simple interface for their work, developers have direct database access and extensibility points, and business users can build automations. The platform includes a built-in AI assistant and is built as a native MCP (Model Context Protocol) server, making your structured data directly usable by AI agents and models.

This tool is ideal for development teams building custom applications who want to avoid writing repetitive backend boilerplate. It's also a strong fit for organizations where content teams need to manage data without developer intervention for every change. Real-world use includes powering mobile apps, managing marketing campaign content, and serving as the structured data layer for AI-powered features.

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS/PaaS)Database Platform No-Code App Builder

#api generator#backend as a service#content management#database-tool#data modeling#headless cms#low-code

Key features

What makes it stand out

Visual data modeling interface to define collections and relationships

Instant, auto-generated GraphQL and REST APIs for any connected database

Granular, role-based access control down to the field level

Built-in AI assistant and native MCP server for AI integration

Extensible with custom endpoints, hooks, and modules

Who is Directus for?

Who benefits most from this tool

Building a custom backend for a web or mobile app

Creating a collaborative content management system for a team

Providing a structured data layer for AI agents and applications

Pricing

Free tier available — start without a credit card

Open License

Free

$5M max annual income
Self-host on your own infrastructure
Complete data ownership
No feature limitations for qualifying users

Production License

Custom

Production deployment
No feature limitations
Commercial use

Trust & presence

Domain Domain registered 2015

Gallery

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