Directus

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

★★★★★ 4.9/5 from 17 reviews

What is Directus?

The Modern Data Stack 🐰 — Directus is an instant REST+GraphQL API and intuitive no-code data collaboration app for any SQL database.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Data management
  • Fast setup
  • No-code app
  • Customizable
  • REST+GraphQL API
  • Visual UI
  • Backend toolkit
  • Community contributions
  • Free if self-hosted
  • Headless CMS
  • Open source
  • Cloud and on-premise options
  • Extendable
  • Modular
  • SQL database support
  • White-label

Cons

  • Abstracts database too much
  • Less than ideal documentation

Tool Details

Categories Databases and backend frameworks
Website directus.io
Became Popular September 15, 2016
Platforms Web
Social

Recent Reviews (12)

P
Pandelis Oct 24, 2023
★★★★★

I used directus extensively even from the time it was still a PHP project. Its one of the most customisable and powerful CRMs even then. We ran our entire internationalisation framework for multiple muti-platform android/ios apps with thousands of users and customers. All tenanted with different deployments for each agency customer. It was wicked. And that was then! Since they've come such a long way and have only got better! And the node refactor came at just the right time. Tidal shifts in usability speed and features. Love the product yall.

Customizable
B
Ben Oct 24, 2023
★★★★★

Having run a digital agency for 20+ years — I can confidently say that this OS framework would have saved my team countless hours on repetitive boilerplate and internal administration. This approach of a robust starting-point framework that is both flexible and extensible is a perfect approach... though, I'm biased! 🙌

Customizable
T
truemiller Jul 14, 2024
★★★★☆

Just started testing this out. Seems very promising. Though, it does abstract the database away a little too much. As a developer, and someone that knows Postgres pretty well, having to choose weird field types like "Input" or "Dropdown", obstructs development a little.

Abstracts database too much
V
Venkata Apr 30, 2022
★★★★★

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

No-code app Visual UI Data management
A
Austin Apr 28, 2022
★★★★★

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?

Fast setup Open source Data management Community contributions Free if self-hosted
P
Pedro Oct 23, 2023
★★★★★

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.

Fast setup REST+GraphQL API No-code app Visual UI Data management
O
omondi Mar 14, 2024
★★★★★

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).

Open source Customizable Community contributions Free if self-hosted White-label
K
Krzysiek Jan 10, 2023
★★★★★

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.

Headless CMS No-code app Backend toolkit
H
Happy May 3, 2022
★★★★★

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.

Cloud and on-premise options
B
Bamboo Mar 14, 2023
★★★★★

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.

Visual UI
J
Jessy Jul 3, 2023
★★★★☆

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

Less than ideal documentation
D
Debashree Nov 15, 2023
★★★★★

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.

Fast setup REST+GraphQL API No-code app Visual UI Data management

Frequently Asked Questions about Directus

When did Directus become popular?

Directus became popular around September 15, 2016.

What are the main advantages of using Directus?

The top advantages of Directus include: data management, fast setup, no-code app, customizable, REST+GraphQL API.

What are the disadvantages of Directus?

Some reported disadvantages of Directus include: abstracts database too much, less than ideal documentation.

What is Directus's overall user rating?

Directus has an overall rating of 4.9/5 based on 17 user reviews.

What type of tool is Directus?

Directus belongs to the following categories: Databases and backend frameworks.

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