Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Directus VS Prismic

Compare Directus VS Prismic and see what are their differences

Directus logo Directus

Free and Open-Source Headless CMS

Prismic logo Prismic

prismic.io is a web software you can use to manage content in any kind of website or app. API-driven.
  • Directus Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-16
  • Prismic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19

Prismic

Website
prismic.io
$ Details
-
Release Date
2013 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
Guillaume Bort
Employees
10 - 19

Directus features and specs

  • Headless CMS
    Directus offers a headless CMS, which decouples the content management back-end from the front-end. This allows for greater flexibility in how content is displayed across different platforms and devices.
  • Open-source
    Being open-source, Directus allows developers to contribute to its development, inspect the code, and build custom features according to their needs. This fosters a large, active community and encourages rapid iteration and innovation.
  • Database Agnostic
    Directus can be used with any SQL database, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. This gives developers the flexibility to work within their preferred database environments.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The Directus app provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for non-developers. This makes it easier for content creators and managers to handle their content without needing to understand the technical aspects.
  • API-first
    Directus provides a powerful API out of the box, enabling easy integration with other services and applications. This ensures that developers can build seamless, robust, and scalable services.
  • Customizable
    Directus offers extensive customization options, including custom roles, permissions, and interfaces. This makes it adaptable to a wide range of use cases and specific requirements.

Possible disadvantages of Directus

  • Learning Curve
    While powerful, Directus can have a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with headless CMSs or API-first architectures. This might require additional training or time to become fully efficient in its use.
  • Resource Intensive
    Operating Directus can be resource-intensive, especially in larger, more complex implementations. This might necessitate more robust server hardware or cloud infrastructure, increasing operational costs.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up Directus, particularly in production environments, can be complex and may require significant technical know-how. This can be a barrier for smaller teams or those without in-depth technical expertise.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    Directus, being a headless CMS, does not come with built-in themes or front-end templates, unlike traditional CMSs. This can necessitate additional development to create a presentable front-end.
  • Dependency Management
    Managing dependencies and keeping Directus up-to-date with the latest versions of its underlying components can be challenging and time-consuming for administrators.

Prismic features and specs

  • Content Modeling Flexibility
    Prismic offers a highly flexible content management system where users can create custom content types, known as ‘Custom Types’. This allows for extensive control over the structure and fields of content, making it adaptable to various project needs.
  • Developer-Friendly API
    Prismic provides a robust and well-documented API that developers can use to fetch content easily. This includes support for GraphQL, RESTful APIs, and client SDKs, simplifying integration with various front-end frameworks and platforms.
  • Rich Text Editor and Slices
    It includes a rich text editor and 'Slices,' which are reusable content components. This allows for modular content creation, enabling marketers and content creators to build and manage dynamic pages without developer intervention.
  • Multi-Language Support
    Prismic offers strong multi-language support, making it easy to manage content in different languages and locales. This is ideal for businesses operating in multiple regions.
  • Versioning and Previews
    With built-in versioning, users can revert to previous versions of content easily. Additionally, Prismic offers a preview feature that allows users to see changes before they go live, ensuring greater content accuracy and quality.
  • SEO-Friendly
    Prismic lets users manage SEO-related settings like meta tags, canonical URLs, and alt text for images, enabling better control over search engine optimization.

Possible disadvantages of Prismic

  • Learning Curve
    While powerful, Prismic's interface and custom types can have a steeper learning curve for new users unfamiliar with headless CMS or structured content models.
  • Pricing
    Prismic's pricing can be relatively high compared to some other CMS options, especially for small businesses or personal projects. The cost scales with advanced features and higher traffic levels.
  • Limited In-Built Features
    Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Prismic doesn't include in-built features for things like e-commerce, forms, or complex workflows. These functionalities usually require third-party integrations or custom development.
  • Dependency on API
    Since Prismic is a headless CMS, the front-end is entirely decoupled, making it heavily dependent on the API. Any downtime or slow response times from the API can directly impact the user experience.
  • Complex Integration for Non-Developers
    Although Prismic is designed with developers in mind, this can make integrations and customizations challenging for non-developers. Basic features might require technical knowledge to implement effectively.
  • Scalability Limitations
    For extremely large projects or enterprises with complex needs, Prismic may not scale as effectively as some other enterprise-level CMS platforms.

Analysis of Directus

Overall verdict

  • Directus is a highly regarded solution for those seeking a flexible and powerful headless CMS. Its open-source license and ease of integration make it a strong choice for projects that require custom content management solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Directus is known for its flexibility and ease of use. It offers a headless CMS solution that connects seamlessly with various types of databases, providing a robust platform for managing digital content. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization, and its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to both developers and non-technical users. Additionally, Directus provides real-time APIs and support for a range of content types, which can significantly streamline content management processes.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking for a customizable and adaptable CMS
  • Organizations needing a headless CMS with real-time API capabilities
  • Teams seeking a user-friendly and straightforward interface for content management
  • Projects that require integration with a variety of databases

Analysis of Prismic

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Prismic is a solid choice for teams looking for a headless CMS that balances developer flexibility with user-friendly content management.

Why this product is good

  • Prismic is a popular headless CMS that is highly regarded for its flexibility and ease of use. It allows developers to create custom content structures, making it suitable for a wide variety of projects. Its API-first approach enables seamless integration with different front-end technologies, and it offers a user-friendly interface that is appreciated by content editors.

Recommended for

  • Businesses seeking a headless CMS with strong API capabilities.
  • Teams that require a flexible content management structure.
  • Developers who prefer using a variety of front-end frameworks.
  • Organizations looking for a CMS that allows easy content collaboration.

Directus videos

Using Directus

More videos:

  • Review - Directus Review
  • Review - Directus - What's a Headless CMS?

Prismic videos

Setup a blog with Gatsby and Prismic in less than 10min

More videos:

  • Review - Quick overview of a Next.js website project with Prismic and Now

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Directus and Prismic)
CMS
56 56%
44% 44
Blogging
58 58%
42% 42
Blogging Platform
49 49%
51% 51
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Directus and Prismic

Directus Reviews

21 Headless CMS Platforms That You Should Check Out
Directus is an open data platform where you can turn SQL databases into an API. Furthermore, you can customize your content with this platform entirely since it is an extensible headless CMS platform.
Source: popupsmart.com
Best Headless CMS in 2022
Directus is a great headless CMS if you have a current SQL database. It is written with vue.js, REST is used for the public API and it is powered by Node.js. Directus is open-source so you can use it free without any limitations. The product suite includes an admin app for editors, a content API for developers, and can be self-hosted for free.
Source: flatlogic.com
Best Node.js CMS platforms for 2022
Directus is an open-source headless CMS for managing custom SQL databases. Directus also has an intuitive admin app for non-technical users to manage content.
11 Headless CMS to Consider for Modern Application
Writing comments or a note at certain times is useful. Directus comment features prove to be very functional.
Source: geekflare.com
34 Headless CMS That Should Be On Your Radar
The idea is that developers can create custom databases based on specific project needs without learning a proprietary framework or being forced to build using specific technologies. When the database is ready, Directus’ API or SDKs can be connected, resulting in a customizable interface that business users can use to manage database content for their websites and...
Source: www.cmswire.com

Prismic Reviews

Best Headless CMS in 2022
Prismic is a SaaS headless CMS trusted by many big companies such as Google, Netflix, and others. The product allows you to choose the technology, framework, and language and thereafter easily manage and deliver the content. It supports native integrations with eCommerce platforms.
Source: flatlogic.com
Best Node.js CMS platforms for 2022
Prismic is a headless CMS for editing online content. We can use Prismic to build everything from simple, editorial, and corporate websites to ecommerce stores.
11 Headless CMS to Consider for Modern Application
With Prismic CMS, teams of developers and marketers can launch websites, also allowing front-end developers to customize the front-end and use any programming language.
Source: geekflare.com
34 Headless CMS That Should Be On Your Radar
San Francisco-based Prismic is a SaaS headless CMS that comes with a visual editor, custom type builds, multi-language support, and full revision history. As well as native integrations with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and Magento, Prismic comes with a scheduling and project management tool to enable collaboration and workflow management.
Source: www.cmswire.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Directus should be more popular than Prismic. It has been mentiond 124 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Directus mentions (124)

  • Ditching Obsidian and building my own
    It seems to really be an ad for Directus (https://directus.io/) (?). - Source: Hacker News / 18 days ago
  • I Found Perfect CMS after Years of Trial and Error
    Sanity, Contentful, and Hygraph are a few examples. Very often a CMS has a pricing page, but is also open-source, and has docs on how to self-host it for free. A great example of that is Directus, and there is no need to avoid those CMS. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Directus – real-time REST and GraphQL API of any SQL database
    > From indie devs to enterprise teams, our growing community is building faster with an open source backend built from the ground-up for developers. From https://directus.io. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: Anybody used Retool for production, user-facing app?
    I would also recommend looking at Directus (https://directus.io). We evaluated PayloadCMS to drive the backend of a mobile app and eventually settled on Directus because it supported heterogeneous collections which was something we had to have. Directus also has a template for a multi-tenant app which sounds like something you might need. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Twenty, a modern CRM alternative to Salesforce
    Nice! It's great to have more open source platforms in the CRM space. This feels a lot like Directus [0] except that the latter is a more general data platform you build upon. They have a 100 Apps in 100 hours playlist where they build sample apps on top on Directus, even a simple CRM [1]. [0] https://directus.io/ [1] https://youtu.be/tTrBn9Wvko0?si=IoqQ7o7Y8czfxB31. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
View more

Prismic mentions (34)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Directus and Prismic, you can also consider the following products

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

Contentful - You don't need another CMS. You need a better way to manage content — unified, structured, and ready to deploy to any digital channel.

Ghost - Ghost is a fully open source, adaptable platform for building and running a modern online publication. We power blogs, magazines and journalists from Zappos to Sky News.

Strapi - Manage any content. Anywhere. The leading open-source headless CMS. 100% JavaScript / TypeScript and fully customizable.

Sanity.io - Sanity.io a platform for structured content that comes with an open-source editor that you can customize with React.js.

Drupal - Drupal - the leading open-source CMS for ambitious digital experiences that reach your audience across multiple channels. Because we all have different needs, Drupal allows you to create a unique space in a world of cookie-cutter solutions.