Directus

Instant no-code app and dynamic API for any SQL database

4.9•19 reviews•

1.1K followers

Instant no-code app and dynamic API for any SQL database

4.9•19 reviews•

1.1K followers

Visit website

Databases and backend frameworks

The Modern Data Stack 🐰 Monospace is the governed API layer for every app, person, and agent. Directus is an instant REST+GraphQL API and intuitive no-code data collaboration app for any SQL database.

Directus Reviews

The community submitted 19 reviews to tell us what they like about Directus, what Directus can do better, and more.

4.9

Based on 19 reviews

Review Directus?

Reviewers describe Directus as a fast way to turn an existing SQL database into REST and GraphQL APIs with an admin interface, cutting backend work and making data usable for both developers and non-technical teams. They repeatedly praise its customization, white-label control, self-hosting, and broad use across CMS, internal tools, and full apps. The main knocks are thinner documentation for advanced and self-hosted setups, some bugs, and occasional breaking updates. A founder from LayerProof also cites it for CMS, API, and SQL-driven publishing use cases.

+16

Summarized with AI

Pros

customizable (4)

data management (4)

fast setup (4)

no-code app (4)

REST+GraphQL API (4)

visual UI (4)

community contributions (2)

free if self-hosted (2)

open source (2)

Cons

less than ideal documentation (2)

Pros

Cons

Framer AI AgentsDesign and publish professional sites with AI

Promoted

Reviews

All Reviews

Most Informative

Founder Reviews (9)

Other Reviews (10)

•21 reviews

What's great

fast setup (4)customizable (4)REST+GraphQL API (4)

Directus turns our SQL database into working REST and GraphQL APIs plus an admin UI with very little setup, which saves us a lot of backend work. It's really customizable, and the white-label control means the admin app can look like our own tool. The interface is intuitive enough that our less technical teammates can manage content and data without pinging a developer every time.

What needs improvement

less than ideal documentation (2)

The docs could go deeper on advanced use cases and self-hosting setups like Docker, where I sometimes had to dig around for answers. Updates can also bring breaking changes that take some refactoring on bigger projects. Neither is a dealbreaker, but better guides would make things smoother.

vs Alternatives

For us it came down to Directus sitting on top of our own SQL database and letting us self-host it, so we keep full control of our data. The white-label options and the fact that both devs and non-devs can actually use the same app sealed it.

Ratings

Ease of use

Reliability

Value for money

Customization

Report

77 views1mo ago

•1 review

Hi Folks, I started exploring Directus last week and my initial impression is good. Especially content creation and data management as the UI is intuitive. Now the developers can think about data as pure content instead of struggling with technical skills like Database/Keys/Joins/relationships etc. The one feature I would like to see is, exposing the database connection string from Standard cloud onwards. So that it offers seamless connectivity with other tools in the Jam Stack world. Finally, congratulations to all the developers who worked hard in creating the product. Best of luck for future releases. Thanks Venkata Penumatsa

What's great

no-code app (4)visual UI (4)data management (4)

Report

150 views4yr ago

•1 review

I love Directus! I've been working with it for nearly a year and a half now, and I don't plan to use anything else anytime soon. I actively contribute to the system because I love what they're doing, I love that it's free, and I love the community. Directus cloud takes the amazing product the team has built and pushes it one step further. It's probably the least restrictive web-based data management system you'll find, and being able to run up an instance in a matter of minutes makes things so much easier when you just need to test something small. Of course, no software is perfect. Directus has its flaws, its bugs, but the team works swift and diligently to fix what's broken and keep everything running smoothly. It's a growing product, adding new features, fixes, and improvements every week. They listen to the needs of their community and cater the app to the people who actually use it. But you don't need to take my word for it. You can literally sign up for Directus Cloud and test it out in less than 5 minutes, without any payment information at all. Maybe it's not for you, that's okay. What's great is they give you the tools to quickly figure that out for yourself. So why not give it a shot?

What's great

fast setup (4)open source (2)data management (4)community contributions (2)free if self-hosted (2)

Report

134 views4yr ago

Directus

Austin, thank you so much for your kind words and your review! This honest feedback is so important for our open-source team. Not only does it give us incredible insight but it lights a fire in us to push even harder. And thank you so much for contributing!! We love our dev community and the added power you bring, we wouldn't have it any other way. If you have a moment and want to share your thoughts on G2, we'd be very grateful: https://www.g2.com/products/dire.... Thanks again, and happy hunting!

Report

4yr ago

•1 review

Quickest and smoothest way to get API's on a database within a few minutes, and for the non tech folks like me - a full studio app to manage, edit, and visualize all my data with a nice UI. Aka - I've been able to build a website, mobile app, and SMS texting system (using Twilio API) for a fully functioning app.

What's great

fast setup (4)REST+GraphQL API (4)no-code app (4)visual UI (4)data management (4)

Report

39 views3yr ago

•21 reviews

It is free, if you are able to host it yourself! It is completely white-label, which makes your employees love it even more. It is perfectly customizable. In case you miss something, you can easily jump on the train and add it for your project - or all Directus users (contributing in the open-source community).

What's great

open source (2)customizable (4)community contributions (2)free if self-hosted (2)white-label (1)

Report

31 views2yr ago

•1 review

I have waited years for a proper backend solution/framework (with the possibility for low-code/rapid dev) that would support a variety of use cases from small businesses to enterprise-level requirements. You can use it as CMS, a rapid low code tool, or as your backend framework.

What's great

headless CMS (1)no-code app (4)backend toolkit (1)

Report

25 views4yr ago

•1 review

The most interesting part of Directus is that it has a clear roadmap toward its development, and most of the time the targets are met ahead of the schedule. I'm looking forward to the ability of migrating between Directus Cloud and On-premise installation.

What's great

cloud and on-premise options (1)

Report

22 views4yr ago

•2 reviews

We use Directus extensively in our company as a UI to our database. The refined visual esthetic makes us backend/database devs look like champs.

What's great

visual UI (4)

Report

22 views3yr ago

•1 review

Great reliable backend service. 1 star less for less than ideal documentation.

What needs improvement

less than ideal documentation (2)

Report

27 views3yr ago

Directus

Thanks for the review, Jessy! I'd love to hear more about the shortcomings of our documentation so we can ensure that gets resolved. Any specifics you could provide? We're continuously working on adding/improving the docs, so this is very helpful feedback for us.

Report

3yr ago

•3 reviews

What's great

fast setup (4)REST+GraphQL API (4)no-code app (4)visual UI (4)data management (4)

Report

16 views3yr ago