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Strapi alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Strapi: major version upgrades can be painful, and SSO, audit logs and review workflows are paid. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Strapi, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Payload currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Payload logoPayloadOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Web4 of 466.5
2Keystone logoKeystoneOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Web4 of 459.6
3Squidex logoSquidexOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Web5 of 553.6
  1. Payload logo

    1. PayloadTop pick

    Best for: TypeScript and Next.js developers who want the CMS inside their own codebase

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Strapi

    TypeScript-first open-source CMS with config in code and a Next.js-native admin.

    Pros

    • MIT-licensed and fully self-hostable
    • Lives inside your Next.js app with a type-safe local API
    • Auth, uploads, drafts and access control built in

    Cons

    • Content model changes require code and deploys
    • You manage the database and hosting yourself
    • SSO and some workflow features are enterprise-only
    Visit Payload Compare with StrapiDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Payload a good Strapi alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Framework
    Next.js
    Checked Oct 25, 2026payloadcms.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Codebase
    Open-source TypeScript
    Checked Oct 25, 2026payloadcms.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise features
    SSO, publishing workflows, visual editor
    Checked Oct 25, 2026payloadcms.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Keystone logo

    2. Keystone

    Best for: Node.js developers who want a code-defined GraphQL backend with an admin UI

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Strapi

    Open-source Node.js CMS with a GraphQL API, defined entirely in code.

    Pros

    • Schema in TypeScript generates API and admin
    • Strong access control and hooks
    • MIT-licensed and free

    Cons

    • Smaller community and slower releases than rivals
    • GraphQL-centric API
    • Admin UI is basic for marketing teams
    Visit Keystone Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Keystone a good Strapi alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    npm installs
    1m+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keystonejs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    First commit
    2013
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keystonejs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    API
    GraphQL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026keystonejs.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Squidex logo

    3. Squidex

    Best for: .NET teams and European organisations wanting a self-hostable, API-first CMS

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Web

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Strapi

    Open-source headless CMS on .NET with hosted cloud plans.

    Pros

    • MIT-licensed and free to self-host
    • Workflows, versioning and rules built in
    • Cloud hosting in Europe

    Cons

    • Small community and ecosystem
    • Interface feels dated next to newer CMSs
    • Requires MongoDB
    Visit Squidex Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Squidex a good Strapi alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026squidex.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud free plan
    Starter, free (label required)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026squidex.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud Basic plan
    €19/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026squidex.io(opens source in a new tab)
    API
    GraphQL endpoint
    Checked Oct 25, 2026squidex.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Free under MIT, Docker and Kubernetes files provided
    Checked Oct 25, 2026squidex.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best Strapi alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Payload logo

Best Strapi alternative for most people

Payload

TypeScript-first open-source CMS with config in code and a Next.js-native admin.

Keystone logo

Best Strapi alternative for a free option

Keystone

Open-source Node.js CMS with a GraphQL API, defined entirely in code.

Directus logo

Best Strapi alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Directus

Wraps any existing SQL database with an admin app and APIs.

Squidex logo

Best Strapi alternative for open source

Squidex

Open-source headless CMS on .NET with hosted cloud plans.

Payload logo

Best Strapi alternative for self-hosting

Payload

TypeScript-first open-source CMS with config in code and a Next.js-native admin.

Sanity logo

Best Strapi alternative for working in the browser

Sanity

Hosted content platform with real-time collaboration and no servers to run.

Strapi alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Strapi?

Payload ranks first right now. TypeScript-first open-source CMS with config in code and a Next.js-native admin. Directus and Keystone follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Strapi?

Yes. Payload (open source), Directus (free plan + paid), Keystone (open source) and Sanity (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Strapi?

Yes: Payload, Keystone and Squidex. Payload, Keystone and Squidex can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Strapi?

The complaints we hear most: major version upgrades can be painful; SSO, audit logs and review workflows are paid; you run and scale the server yourself unless you pay for Cloud.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Strapi, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.