Directus

Open-source headless CMS and backend-as-a-service that wraps any SQL database with a REST and GraphQL API

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Directus is an open-source data platform that layers a real-time API and intuitive admin app on top of any SQL database. It supports REST and GraphQL out of the box, with granular role-based access control and built-in file storage. Ideal for solo founders who need a content backend with a visual dashboard, or who want to expose an existing database as an API without rewriting anything.

What's good

  • Works with existing SQL databases without migration
  • Visual admin panel for non-technical content management
  • Self-hostable for free under MIT license

Watch out for

  • Revenue threshold requires a paid license for self-hosted (over $5M/yr)
  • More CMS-oriented, less suited for complex application logic

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Supabase

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Hasura

Instant GraphQL and REST API engine that connects to existing databases and services

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