Directus vs Sanity(2026)
Directus is better for teams that need works with your existing database. Sanity is the stronger choice if flexible schema. Directus is open-source (from $15/month (cloud)) and Sanity is freemium (from $15/month).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
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Directus
Directus is an open source headless CMS and data platform that wraps any SQL database with a REST and GraphQL API.
Starting at $15/month (cloud)
Visit DirectusSanity
Sanity is a headless CMS with real-time collaboration, a customizable studio, and a GROQ query language.
Starting at $15/month
Visit SanityHow Do Directus and Sanity Compare on Features?
| Feature | Directus | Sanity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Starting price | $15/month (cloud) | $15/month |
| Auto-generated REST API | ✓ | — |
| GraphQL support | ✓ | — |
| Any SQL database | ✓ | — |
| Role-based permissions | ✓ | — |
| Data studio UI | ✓ | — |
| Real-time webhooks | ✓ | — |
| Real-time collaboration | — | ✓ |
| Portable Text | — | ✓ |
| GROQ queries | — | ✓ |
| Studio customization | — | ✓ |
| Content Lake | — | ✓ |
| Image CDN | — | ✓ |
Directus Pros and Cons vs Sanity
Directus
Sanity
Should You Use Directus or Sanity?
Choose Directus if…
- •Works with your existing database
- •Open source (self-host free)
- •Flexible data model
Choose Sanity if…
- •Flexible schema
- •Real-time editing
- •Powerful GROQ