14 Best Headless CMS Platforms in 2024
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Headless content management systems (CMS) have gained popularity in recent years as publishers and brands seek greater operational flexibility.
The headless CMS software market was valued at $592.43 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $672.09 million by the end of 2023. The market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.26% through 2030, resulting in a market value of $1.72 billion.
A headless CMS offers greater speed, security and flexibility across digital channels, compared to its traditional counterparts.
The headless CMS’ decoupled approach to system architecture — for example, managing content creation and storage while leaning on static site generators (SSGs) to pre-build a site before deployment — results in faster load times and improved security.
Additionally, the ability to deliver structured content across multiple channels — including websites, newsletters and mobile apps — makes it a powerful option for any publisher looking to scale up its operations.
Given the headless CMS’s potential for publishers and brands alike, we’ve drawn up a list of the 14 best headless CMS platforms for 2024.
Headless content management system (CMS) users can customize the front-end section of their tech stack, while users of traditional CMSs are tied into a singular presentation method.
Traditional CMS platforms are sometimes called “monolithic” because they offer all the features needed to produce, manage and present content in a single system. This includes a “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) visual editor that a headless CMS typically lacks.
Here are some additional differences between traditional and headless CMSs:
| Traditional CMS vs Headless CMS | ||
| Traditional CMS | Headless CMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform independence | Backend and frontend are connected. | Backend runs independently. Frontend agnostic. |
| Security | Traditional web servers are easier to hack. Plugins can also increase security threats. | Backend issues don’t affect the frontend. Potential issues can arise if content is locked to a SaaS headless CMS. |
| Performance | Additional plugins could lower page speed because they run extra code when a user visits a page. | Headless architectures offer rendering methods like SSR (Server-Side Rendering) and SSG (Static Site Generation) that help improve page performance and loading times. |
| Customization | Web and application customizations are restricted to the tools and technologies the CMS supports. These technologies (plugins) could cost extra. | Developers can communicate with the CMS or integration through APIs and data formats (like JSON), allowing for more customization options without needing to learn new programming languages. |
| Supported devices | Integrations are limited to what the CMS platform offers. | API structure allows developers to use integrations from multiple headless CMSs. Content can also be remodeled for multiple devices, allowing for more integration options. |
| Hosting and delivery | Users can download and host the CMS on their own server (on-premise) or on a company’s in-house server. | Hosting can be in the cloud or self-hosted. |
| Costs | Fixed price (including hosting). Plugins might cost extra. | Expensive due to extra implementation costs (headless infrastructure, developers, separate frontend). |
| Implementation and maintenance | Tech support is optional. Maintenance handled in-house. | Requires a tech team. Maintenance done by the vendor’s team on the cloud. |
| Server downtime | Affects both front and backend. | Downtime for maintenance only affects backend, not additional frontend applications. |
| Usability and setup | Friendly to inexperienced users. Setup is simple. | Requires some technical experience. |
| Scalability | Difficult to scale past websites. | Easy to scale to different platforms for better audience reach. |
| Updates | Updates need to be scheduled manually and tested for compatibility with already-installed plugins or themes. | Updates are automatically done in the cloud by headless CMS vendors without disrupting user workflow. |
Please note that because these are not deep-dive reviews, we’ve listed the following platforms alphabetically rather than in order of preference.
Arc XP is a cloud-based headless CMS and SaaS platform that allows users to create rich customer experiences, collaborate on content and use B2C tools for eCommerce. Created by The Washington Post, Arc XP’s users include the likes of Graham Media Group, Infobae and the Golden State Warriors basketball team.
Arc XP partners with Wizeline and is hosted through Amazon Web Services (AWS), with its code repository on GitHub and Fusion. Arc XP supports GraphQL and RESTful Content APIs and React.js, Python, Go, Java and Node languages.
Arc XP has several integrations, including Salesforce, Splunk APM and Catchpoint.
Prospective users can request a demo and talk to Arc XP’s team about custom pricing.
Features
Pros
Cons
Contentful is an API-first headless CMS that promises a 60% increase in conversions and 400% faster loading times. Contentful has attracted a broad range of businesses as clients, including Atlassian, Equinox and Staples.
Its repository is available on GitHub, and it uses REST, GraphQL, Content Management, Delivery and Preview APIs, and SCIM APIs to help users build their apps.
Contentful is hosted through AWS and it integrates with a library of platforms, such as Bynder, Commerce.js, Cloudinary, Gatsby Cloud and Google Analytics.
It also supports server-side languages like C#, .NET, Python, Ruby and PHP.
Contentful has three pricing plans:
Features
Pros
Cons
Directus is the world’s first open data platform for turning SQL databases into a no-code data collaboration app using REST and GraphQL API.
It uses a monorepo design for its repository that is located on GitHub and it supports Îles, Nuxt, Eleventy, Gatsby, React and Remix frameworks.
Directus can be self-hosted through Node.js or cloud-hosted. Companies that use Directus include AT&T, TripAdvisor, Comcast and STIHL.
It offers the following pricing plans:
Features
Pros
Cons
dotCMS is an open-source headless CMS that uses Java technology to help marketers and developers create and reuse content to build engaging digital experiences. Examples of companies that use dotCMS include BNP Paribas, GreenSky, TELUS and Lennox International.
dotCMS is also a hybrid CMS, promising to combine the freedom of a headless CMS with a traditional CMS’ functionality. What this means in practice is that dotCMS comes with front-end features such as a drag-and-drop visual editor.
The CMS uses REST and GraphQL APIs, tested on Postman and run by its command-line interface (CLI), and Scripting APIs. dotCMS is hosted through AWS and uses GitHub as its data repository.
It also supports Apache Velocity as its native coding language and it integrates with platforms such as HubSpot, Google Analytics, Salesforce and Magento.
dotCMS’ Open Source edition is free to use, while its Enterprise tier uses a custom pricing model.
Features
Pros
Cons
Ghost is an open-source headless Node.js CMS and non-profit platform built to help independent writers, bloggers and journalists grow their publishing businesses. Some of Ghost’s users include The Atlantic, Bklyner and Stratechery.
Ghost’s data repository is available on GitHub and hosting is done through its Ghost(Pro) cloud platform as a service (PaaS) environment. Users can also self-host through platforms such as Digital Ocean, Amazon EC2, Google Cloud, Linode, Vultr or Dreamhost.
Ghost supports RESTful JSON Content API, and SQLite and MySQL databases and uses JavaScript as an API client.
Ghost also integrates with many popular platforms, including Zapier, YouTube, Mailchimp, SoundCloud and Twitch. Front-end frameworks can also be built using JAMstack.
Ghost has four pricing plans based on the number of audience members. The below are starting monthly prices based on an audience of 500. While the final figure will scale as the audience grows, annual discounts are available.
Features
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Hygraph, formerly known as GraphCMS, is a native GraphQL headless CMS that focuses on Content Federation, which uses APIs to merge data from different sources into one content repository without moving the content or creating multiple versions. Companies using Hygraph include Statistics Finland, Telenor and Samsung.
Hygraph claims to give editors and developers complete independence as a front and backend-agnostic API-first solution.
Hygraph’s codebase is available on GitHub and it supports React, Vue and Next.js, Gatsby, Nuxt, Apollo, Sapper and Gridsome. It offers a single GraphQL endpoint with full access to Content, Query, Mutation and Asset APIs and SDKs.
The CMS integrates with Gatsby, Algolia, Vercel, Netlify, Frontastic, Google Cloud Platform, AWS and Cloudinary.
Users can choose where their content is hosted and Hygraph serves user data from across 190 Edge CDN nodes globally.
Hygraph has four pricing plans:
Features
Pros
Cons
Kontent.ai is a cloud-based modular SaaS headless CMS that helps marketers to manage content and developers with delivering digital experiences that fit any device. Kontent.ai is used by several companies, including Vogue, the University of Oxford and Cadbury.
The platform uses GitHub as its repository and Fastly as its CDN support. REST, GraphQL, Management v2 and Custom Elements JavaScript are the APIs it supports. Users can also try REST APIs in Postman.
It supports JavaScript, .NET, PHP, Java, Ruby and iOS languages and all Kontent.ai services are hosted in Microsoft Azure.
Kontent.ai has three pricing plans:
Features
Pros
Cons
Magnolia is an enterprise headless CMS that uses tied-in personalization and a modular architecture to make complicated channel management much simpler. Magnolia’s user base includes the likes of The New York Times, CNN and Al Arabiya.
Magnolia is another provider that offers a hybrid solution, providing non-technical users with a full visual editor.
Magnolia uses both Apache Jackrabbit and Git as its content repositories and users can retrieve light modules through npm, GitHub and Maven. It also supports Java and REST APIs.
Magnolia can be self-hosted or on the cloud and it integrates with Salesforce, Netlify, Commercetools and SAP Commerce.
Magnolia has three pricing tiers:
Features
Pros
Cons
Optimizely is a digital experience platform (DXP) and cloud hybrid CMS built and hosted on Microsoft Azure that uses .NET frameworks to help users manage, store or distribute content on newly created digital experiences. Optimizely is used by media brands such as Discovery.
Its data repository is available on GitHub and it supports 250 SDKs, including those of Java, JavaScript, React, PHP, C# and Ruby. Optimizely uses REST APIs and it supports multiple apps and integrations, including Magento, Instagram, Adobe Creative Cloud, HubSpot and WooCommerce.
Optimizely requires interested clients to submit a quote request.
Features
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Cons
Quintype is an AI-powered digital experience platform (DXP) that provides content management solutions for digital publishers. Its products include the Bold headless CMS, the Ahead front-end framework and Metype and Accesstype technologies for audience engagement and content monetization respectively.
The suite is designed to help users publish content and monetize it without unnecessary technical issues. Quintype’s offerings have attracted the likes of Fortune India, The FreePress Journal and Bloomberg Quint.
Quintype’s data repository is available on GitHub and it supports frameworks including Malibu, React, Node.js and Bridgekeeper. It adopts the Swagger UI for users to work with REST APIs.
Quintype integrates with many platforms including AWeber, Alexa, Drip, Google Analytics, Stripe and Instagram.
Quintype doesn’t reveal its pricing, preferring to give interested parties a demo of the platform and a 14-day free trial.
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Pros
Cons
Sanity is a flexible headless CMS that helps teams of all sizes with real-time collaboration, live multi-user editing and customized editing environments.
It uses GitHub as its codebase and Sanity supports frameworks including Tailwind CSS, React, Vue, Eleventy and Jungle.js.
Sanity also supports JavaScript, PHP, Rust, .NET, Go and Vue APIs and it integrates with Mux, Vimeo, Bynder, Cloudinary, Google Maps, SUSAM and plenty more.
Sanity is hosted by React, but users can also host it themselves using platforms including Netify or Vercel. Companies that use Sanity include Condé Nast Britain, Loom and Nike.
Sanity offers four pricing plans to choose from:
Features
Pros
Cons
Strapi is an open-source industry-leading headless CMS that’s fully JavaScript-backed and aims to put web developers first. Strapi counts the likes of Tesco, SONOS and Glean as clients.
Strapi uses GitHub as its repository and it supports REST, GraphQL, Entity Service and Query Engine APIs, and a full-featured CLI.
It also integrates with a whole host of frameworks and programming languages such as Vue.js, Angular, React, Next.js, Eleventy and Svelte — and platforms like SendGrid, Algolia, Redis, Sentry and Mailgun.
Strapi can be self-hosted or hosted on different servers such as 21YunBox, Render, Heroku, AWS, Azure, etc.
Strapi also has multiple plans to choose from, including:
Features
Pros
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Superdesk functions as a digital workspace, set to automate all the functions of a newsroom. It’s used by various press agencies such as the Australian Associated Press, Belga Press and the Canadian Press and serves up to 80 million users per month.
Superdesk has a modular, API-centric design. Features can be built, re-used and templatized to fit a publisher’s needs. The modular design enhances workflow productivity and ensures consistency throughout articles and content.
Superdesk has been built alongside journalists, ensuring the CMS’s design meets news sites’ needs. The CMS allows individual journalists and editors to customize their workspaces and dictionaries and allows them to rapidly update stories to reflect breaking news changes.
There are three different options when it comes to pricing:
For a closer look at Superdesk’s various features and how they work, check out our deep dive exploration and review of the digital newsroom platform.
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Pros
Cons
WordPress VIP (WP VIP) is an agile decoupled CMS that allows users to opt for a single stack, headless or hybrid approach when creating content and digital experiences.
WP VIP user base includes major publishers such as The New York Post, USA TODAY Sports Media and Al Jazeera.
WP VIP is hosted through Automattic and its codebase is linked to GitHub. It supports Node.js hosting and Redis databases and it uses REST, GraphQL, Next.js, Cache, Gatsby and Frontity APIs.
It also integrates with platforms such as Salesforce, D20 and WooCommerce, and WebSocket connections.
While WordPress VIP plans start from around $25,000 per year, the final price will depend on various factors, such as a business’ monthly traffic, application and support needs.
Features
Pros
Cons
A headless CMS offers the following benefits:
Despite its many benefits, a headless CMS does have a few drawbacks too:
While selecting the right headless CMS is pivotal for seamless content management, it involves understanding some of the key criteria that will affect such decisions. Let’s go through some of them below.
Half of the headless CMSs we covered above offer a free version — Contentful, dotCMS, Hygraph, Kontent.ai, Magnolia, Sanity and Strapi.
Free versions are an attractive option for many businesses worried about budgets, allowing them to experiment for a prolonged period without a financial commitment. At the same time, however, we’d caution against over-emphasizing the importance of a free version when reaching a long-term strategic decision.
Even the best free headless CMS will miss several advanced features, customization capabilities and robust support within paid versions. This is sure to weigh on scalability and performance over time.
Balancing the budgetary advantages with potential limitations is crucial when considering a free headless CMS.
When it comes to choosing between a headless or traditional CMS, it ultimately depends on the publisher’s need to scale their business.
Those who only need to publish to a single channel may be better off with a traditional CMS, while outlets with omnichannel ambitions should consider the headless CMS route. When choosing any digital publishing platform, it’s imperative that long-term objectives are weighed against potential migration challenges.
A headless CMS platform offers a broader reach and better-personalized user experience but at the cost of additional developer expenses and potentially the need for more tech experience.
However, if these constraints aren’t prohibitive, we’d recommend considering one of the above options. Remember to be patient — transitioning to a headless CMS takes time, but the wait and work are worth the reward.
