Directus vs Sanity: Open-Source vs Cloud CMS
Directus is an open-source data platform that wraps any SQL database. Sanity is a cloud-hosted headless CMS with structured content. Directus for database wrapping; Sanity for content modelling.
Last updated: 2026-03
In This Comparison
72% of organisations have adopted AI in at least one business function
Source: McKinsey 2025
40-60% reduction in operational costs with AI automation
Source: McKinsey 2025
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | directus | Sanity |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Yes, fully open-source | Partially |
| Pricing | Free self-hosted, $99/mo cloud | $99/mo |
| Database | Wraps any SQL database | Hosted document store |
| Best For | Database-first projects | Content-heavy sites |
| Hosting | Self-hosted or cloud | Cloud-hosted |
directus
- Open Source
- Yes, fully open-source
- Pricing
- Free self-hosted, $99/mo cloud
- Database
- Wraps any SQL database
- Best For
- Database-first projects
- Hosting
- Self-hosted or cloud
Sanity
- Open Source
- Partially
- Pricing
- $99/mo
- Database
- Hosted document store
- Best For
- Content-heavy sites
- Hosting
- Cloud-hosted
Winner by Category
Best for Flexibility
directusWraps any existing SQL database
Best for Content
SanityPurpose-built for structured content with excellent editing UX
Best Value
directusFree to self-host vs Sanity's $99/month
Our Recommendation
Choose Directus to wrap an existing database or for self-hosted CMS. Pick Sanity for the best content modelling and editing experience.
“The best tool depends on what you are building and how you work. There is no universal winner. Pick the one that fits your workflow and budget, then ship something.”
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Sanity
Building content-heavy sites with editorial teams
Choose Directus
Want to add a CMS layer to an existing database
Overview
Directus and Sanity are both headless CMS options but approach the problem differently. Directus is an open-source data platform that wraps any SQL database, providing a REST and GraphQL API plus an admin interface automatically. Sanity is a cloud-hosted CMS with its own document store, customisable Studio editor, and real-time collaboration features.
Choosing Between Them
Choose Directus if you have an existing database you want to expose through a CMS interface, or if you want a self-hosted solution. Choose Sanity if content modelling and editorial workflow are your priorities and you want a managed cloud solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Directus use PostgreSQL?
Yes. Directus wraps PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and other SQL databases. It introspects your schema and generates APIs automatically.
Which is better for blogs?
Sanity provides a better editorial experience for content-heavy sites like blogs. Directus is more suited to data-driven applications.
Is Directus really free?
Yes. Directus is open-source and free to self-host. Directus Cloud is available from $99/month as a managed option.
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