Dev Toolsdocker-ready1-click-deploy
Directus: the best Open Source alternative to Contentful in 2026
Directus turns any SQL database into a headless backend with an auto-generated REST/GraphQL API and admin panel, as a self-hostable alternative to Contentful.
Technical profile
- License
- BUSL-1.1
- Category
- Dev Tools
- Replaces
- Contentful
- Tech stack
- Node.jsVue.jsPostgreSQL
Preview
Public image provided by Directus on its own website.
Key features
- Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs
- Configurable admin panel
- Connects to existing SQL databases
Directus vs. Contentful
Pros
- Doesn't lock your data into a proprietary format
Things to consider
- BUSL-1.1 license restricts offering it as a competing SaaS
Quick Docker installation guide
Copy this docker-compose.yml, adjust the example passwords and run docker compose up -d on your server. See the full step-by-step guide →
docker-compose.yml
version: "3.9"
services:
directus:
image: directus/directus:latest
restart: unless-stopped
ports:
- "8055:8055"
environment:
- KEY=change-me-key
- SECRET=change-me-secret
- DB_CLIENT=pg
- DB_HOST=directus-db
- DB_DATABASE=directus
- DB_USER=directus
- DB_PASSWORD=directus
depends_on:
- directus-db
directus-db:
image: postgres:15-alpine
restart: unless-stopped
environment:
- POSTGRES_USER=directus
- POSTGRES_PASSWORD=directus
- POSTGRES_DB=directus
volumes:
- directus_pg_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
volumes:
directus_pg_data: