What's the best Headless CMS

As the demand for flexible, multi-platform content management systems (CMS) grows, many businesses are exploring headless CMS options that separate content management from content presentation. With so many choices available, finding the best headless CMS for your needs depends on several factors: company size, budget, website type, and the structure of your content management team. In this guide, we’ll explore the strengths of popular headless CMS platforms like Sanity, Prismic, Contentful, Strapi, Umbraco, and Directus, so you can determine the best fit for your business.

Sanity: powerful and flexible for mid-to-large companies

Sanity is a highly flexible headless CMS known for its customisation and real-time collaboration features. It’s ideal for medium to large companies with complex content needs and structured content management teams.

• Pricing tiers: Sanity offers a free plan for small projects, while paid plans start at $99/month, scaling based on features like data transfer, API usage, and user seats.
• Best suited for: Mid-to-large companies, websites with a high volume of content, and businesses needing custom workflows and real-time collaboration.
• Team type: Ideal for content teams with developers who can customise content structures and APIs.

Sanity’s flexibility and adaptability make it a strong choice for growing companies with complex content requirements across multiple channels.

Prismic: user-friendly for design-centric projects

Prismic focuses on providing an intuitive interface for content creators while offering customisation through APIs for developers. Known for its simplicity and powerful editing experience, Prismic is popular among design-centric teams and marketing agencies.

• Pricing tiers: Offers a free plan for basic use, with paid plans starting at $7/month, which include additional features, API calls, and collaborative tools.
• Best suited for: Small-to-medium businesses, design-centric projects, and marketing-focused websites.
• Team type: Suitable for creative teams prioritising a visually appealing user interface, with enough flexibility for developer customisation.

Prismic’s interface allows content teams to create and manage content efficiently, making it a great fit for marketing-driven projects and websites requiring high design flexibility.

Contentful: enterprise-grade with robust scalability

Contentful is an enterprise-grade headless CMS with extensive API capabilities and content management tools. Designed for large-scale projects, Contentful is best for companies that require robust content distribution and high traffic handling.

• Pricing tiers: Contentful’s entry-level plan starts at $489/month, with custom enterprise plans for more advanced needs. The platform also offers a free trial for testing purposes.
• Best suited for: Large enterprises, e-commerce websites, and high-traffic platforms with extensive content needs.
• Team type: Perfect for established teams with dedicated developers and content managers who require a sophisticated, scalable solution.

Contentful’s enterprise focus, extensive integrations, and customisation options make it ideal for large companies looking for a reliable, scalable headless CMS.

Strapi: open-source and highly customisable

Strapi is an open-source headless CMS popular among developers for its flexibility and customisation. With self-hosting options, Strapi provides full control over data and content structures, making it an attractive choice for tech-driven teams.

• Pricing tiers: Strapi is free for self-hosted use, with paid options available through Strapi Cloud, starting at $99/month for more features and support.
• Best suited for: Medium-to-large tech-focused companies or development teams seeking a fully customisable CMS.
• Team type: Ideal for development-heavy teams that need control over hosting, data, and back-end customisation.

Strapi’s open-source nature allows for flexibility in customisation and scalability, making it a good choice for technical teams and businesses needing custom, development-driven solutions.

Umbraco: .NET-friendly and great for large organisations

Umbraco is a .NET-based headless CMS that is highly compatible with Microsoft environments, making it a top choice for companies invested in the Microsoft tech stack. Known for its ease of use and scalability, Umbraco is suitable for both content managers and developers.

• Pricing tiers: Umbraco offers a free, self-hosted option and a cloud-based plan starting at $39/month, with custom pricing for larger setups.
• Best suited for: Large organisations and websites reliant on the Microsoft ecosystem, especially those seeking .NET compatibility.
• Team type: Suitable for teams with .NET developers and content managers who prefer a familiar environment.

Umbraco is a valuable solution for companies requiring .NET integration and scalability, particularly for enterprise-level sites and content teams working within Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Directus: open-source and database-focused

Directus is an open-source headless CMS that connects directly to any SQL database, offering real-time API access to structured content. Its unique database-centric approach makes it suitable for data-heavy applications and content-rich platforms.

• Pricing tiers: Directus is free for self-hosted use, with pricing for Directus Cloud starting at $25/month.
• Best suited for: Content-rich platforms, data-driven websites, and businesses requiring direct database access.
• Team type: Suitable for technical teams needing flexibility to work directly with SQL databases and control over data structure.

Directus’s direct database integration makes it a unique choice for data-heavy projects and content platforms where SQL database access is a priority.

Which headless CMS is best for your business?

Each headless CMS has distinct strengths. For small businesses and budget-conscious teams, platforms like Prismic and Umbraco offer simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Mid-to-large enterprises may prefer the flexibility of Sanity, Contentful’s enterprise features, or Strapi’s customisability. Directus suits data-focused projects that need direct access to SQL databases.

Why Root, Digital Agency is the right choice for headless CMS development in London

At Root, Digital Agency, we specialise in headless CMS development for clients across industries, helping them harness the power of platforms like Sanity, Prismic, and Contentful. With a deep background in web development and significant experience with publishing companies and media-rich projects, Root offers tailored solutions that align with your content goals. Our London-based team ensures personalised support and expert guidance, making us a trusted choice for companies looking to transform their content management strategies with a headless CMS.

Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, Root, Digital Agency provides the expertise to ensure your headless CMS solution meets your unique requirements, optimising content distribution and scalability.