Software Alternatives & Startups

EJS VS Directus

Compare EJS VS Directus and see what are their differences

EJS

An open source JavaScript Template library.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Directus

Free and Open-Source Headless CMS

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Directus should be more popular than EJS. It has been mentioned 126 times since March 2021.

social mentions
26 vs 126
Javascript UI Libraries popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
157 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

EJS
EJS
Directus
Website ejs.co directus.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source Official pricing
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

EJS
EJS 6 features
Directus 6 features
  • Simplicity
    EJS is easy to learn and use, especially for developers who are already familiar with JavaScript. The syntax is straightforward, making it a good choice for quick application development.
  • JavaScript Integration
    Since EJS templates are JavaScript files, you can seamlessly integrate JavaScript code, making it easy to manipulate data and use familiar JavaScript functions.
  • Lightweight
    EJS is a lightweight template engine, which makes it an optimal choice for applications where performance and simplicity are critical.
  • Flexibility
    Allows for the embedding of plain JavaScript within the templates, giving developers the flexibility to add logic directly in their HTML.
  • Partial Templates
    Supports partials, which help to reuse code snippets across different views, promoting DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principles.
  • Server-Side Rendering
    Supports server-side rendering, which can improve performance by reducing the amount of client-side processing needed.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Functionality
    Compared to more feature-rich template engines like Handlebars or Pug, EJS offers limited functionalities which might be a drawback for large, complex projects.
  • Debugging
    Debugging EJS templates can sometimes be challenging. Errors within templates can often be vague, making it difficult to trace the root cause.
  • Maintenance
    Embedding a lot of JavaScript within templates can make the code harder to read and maintain, especially as the complexity of the application grows.
  • Performance Overhead
    For very large and complex templates, EJS can introduce a performance overhead compared to more optimized template engines designed for high performance.
  • Community and Support
    While EJS has a reasonable user base, the community and support may not be as extensive as more popular alternatives like React or Vue.js.
  • 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

  • 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.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

EJS
EJS
Directus

Overall verdict

  • Yes, EJS is considered good, particularly for projects where developers want ease of use and flexibility with JavaScript templating. It is lightweight, easy to learn, and integrates well with Express, a popular Node.js web application framework.

Why this product is good

  • EJS (Embedded JavaScript Templating) is popular because it provides a simple way to generate HTML markup with plain JavaScript. It allows for the embedding of JavaScript logic within your HTML templates, making it straightforward to use for those familiar with JavaScript. It's known for its efficiency in rendering templates and ease of integration with Node.js applications.

Recommended for

    EJS is recommended for developers building server-side web applications using Node.js and those looking for a simple, yet effective, templating solution. It is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized projects where dynamic content generation is needed and for teams that prioritize simplicity and performance.

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

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

EJS
EJS 2 videos + Add
Directus 3 videos + Add

Kane Creek - Bestop Trail Review at EJS 2019

More videos

  • - JavaScript Templating Tutorial | Introduction To EJS

Using Directus

More videos

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

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
EJS
EJS
Directus
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using EJS and Directus. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

EJS
EJS no reviews yet
Directus no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

EJS
EJS 26 mentions
Directus 126 mentions
  • Next.js vs Express: What to Choose in 2025?
    Express does not provide SEO benefits by default and would require additional configuration with tools like EJS (Embedded JavaScript) or Handlebars for server-side rendering. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Chapter 7: HTML part two
    For a more robust approach, we'd probably need to install a templating language of some kind, such as Twig, EJS, Handlebars, Pug or Mustache (this is not a complete list!). Reading the documentation for posthtml-modules, you'll notice it... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Web Components and SSR - 2024 Edition
    Server-side Framework SSR is when you use a framework that runs the HTML templating logic entirely on the server to compose the HTML that will be rendered in the browser. These are frameworks like Ruby on Rails, ASP.Net, PHP, or even... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago

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  • Ask HN: Looking for Headless CMS Recommendation
    Im using directus (https://directus.io/) for my personal website with a vacation blog and some posts… So far it works pretty well and my gf is also able to use it on her own, so you could say its non-tech user approved haha. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Directus.js (JavaScript SDK) – The official client for Directus APIs
    If you're working with Directus, the open-source headless CMS and data platform, then Directus.js is your new best friend. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Ditching Obsidian and building my own
    It seems to really be an ad for Directus (https://directus.io/) (?). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

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Alternatives to EJS and Directus

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