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For most buyers, Sanity is the best starting point: it scores well, has a free plan, and suits structured content and custom workflows. Payload is close behind for developer-led Next.js projects, while Prismic offers a lower listed starting price for reusable-page sites. The right choice depends on your workflow: database-led teams should look at Directus, and teams prioritizing visual editing should compare Storyblok and Builder.io. Prices are not directly comparable, and several options have caps or setup trade-offs worth checking before committing.
Quick picksThe shortlist
SanitySanityBest overall · $15/mo
PayloadPayloadBest for Next.js · $35/mo
PrismicPrismicBest for reusable pages · $10/mo
DirectusDirectusBest for existing databases · $89/mo
StoryblokStoryblokBest for visual editing · $90.75/mo
KirbyKirbyBest for file-based CMS · Custom
Builder.ioBuilder.ioBest for code review · $24/mo
ContentstackContentstackBest for enterprise needs · $29/mo
ContentfulContentfulBest for personalization · $300/mo
StrapiStrapiBest for custom APIs · $35/mo
01Compared at a glance
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SanitySanity | 7.8 | $15/mo | Yes | — |
| PayloadPayload | 8.0 | $35/mo | Yes | — |
| PrismicPrismic | 7.7 | $10/mo | Yes | — |
| DirectusDirectus | 8.0 | $89/mo | Yes | 14 days |
| StoryblokStoryblok | 7.3 | $90.75/mo | Yes | 45 days |
| KirbyKirby | 6.8 | Custom | No | Yes |
| Builder.ioBuilder.io | 6.7 | $24/mo | Yes | — |
| ContentstackContentstack | 6.5 | $29/mo | Yes | — |
| ContentfulContentful | 6.5 | $300/mo | Yes | — |
| StrapiStrapi | 6.2 | $35/mo | No | — |
02The picks, in detail
- Best overallSanitySanity
Sanity is our top pick for teams that need structured content across platforms or custom content workflows. The published pricing lists a free plan and paid plans from $15. That makes it a useful starting point for a range of projects, but the notes flag seat costs and setup needs as reasons to check the real fit before switching.
What works
- Free plan includes 20 user seats
- Free plan allows 10k documents and 100GB assets
- Growth includes 25k documents and 1M monthly CDN requests
What doesn't
- Growth costs $15 per seat/month
- Growth includes a 50-seat limit
- Annual billing rate is not published
- Best for Next.jsPayloadPayload
Payload scores 8 and is aimed at Next.js projects with developer support, self-hosting control, and custom schemas. Its listed pricing starts at $35, with a free plan. That is strong value for teams comfortable owning the technical setup. The trade-offs in the published notes are cloud caps and roadmap uncertainty, so check both before choosing it for a growing project.
What works
- Self-hosted plan is free
- No self-hosted user or seat caps
- No self-hosted API-call quotas
What doesn't
- Standard Cloud has 512MB RAM
- Standard Cloud includes 3GB database storage
- Annual Cloud prices are not published
- Best for reusable pagesPrismicPrismic
Prismic suits developer-led branded websites and teams assembling pages from reusable sections. Its listed starting price is $10, and a free plan is available, which makes it an affordable option to evaluate for smaller projects. Before committing, check the user, API, and CDN caps: those limits may matter more than the entry price as a site grows.
What works
- Free plan includes 4 million API calls and 100 GB CDN monthly
- Unlimited documents, content types and assets on listed plans
- Reusable slices let marketers assemble developer-defined page sections
What doesn't
- Free plan is limited to one user and two locales
- Starter costs $10 per repository/month, billed annually
- Monthly billing prices are not published
- Best for existing databasesDirectusDirectus
Directus is a strong fit when content already lives in a database and developers want generated REST and GraphQL APIs. The published notes list a free plan and pricing from $89, plus free self-hosting for eligible organizations. Cloud costs can rise as seats and collections grow, so it is worth comparing the hosted bill with your expected team and content needs.
What works
- Generates REST and GraphQL APIs from a connected database
- No-code interface lets teams manage database content
- Native MCP server connects compatible AI tools
What doesn't
- Core limits teams to 3 seats, 25 collections and 5 flows
- Team pricing differs between the plan card and FAQ
- Extra Team seats cost $50 per seat monthly
- Best for visual editingStoryblokStoryblok
Storyblok fits teams that want visual content editing, approval workflows, or connections between content and AI agents. Its listed pricing starts at $90.75, with a free plan. The published notes describe useful AI connections but warn that growth costs need close attention. Compare the price and plan limits against your editorial workflow before moving a team onto it.
What works
- Visual editing pairs structured content with page previews.
- Roles, approvals, workflows and audit trails support editorial governance.
- Native MCP Server connects agents to content, schemas and brand voice.
What doesn't
- Growth costs $99 monthly; Growth Plus is $349 monthly.
- Growth starts with five seats and caps at ten.
- Growth includes 400GB traffic and 1M API requests before add-ons.
- Best for file-based CMSKirbyKirby
Kirby is worth considering for teams wanting a customizable website CMS and developers who are comfortable with file-based content. Its $115 Basic license is a one-time fee, according to the published notes, which may appeal to organizations that prefer that model. The overall fit depends on your CMS needs and workflow; the listed starting price is otherwise not published.
What works
- Basic costs $115 as a one-time payment
- All features are included in both plans
- Content can be organized in folders and text files
What doesn't
- Each license covers one installation on one domain
- Basic is for organizations under €1 million
- No free plan is listed
- Best for code reviewBuilder.ioBuilder.io
Builder.io is aimed at marketers editing component-based production UI, teams combining content and experimentation, and teams with an established Git review process. The published pricing lists a free plan and paid plans from $24. Its main caveat is workflow: this is a visual editing option tied to code review, not a friction-free builder for every team.
What works
- Visual editor connects to components and design tokens
- Changes can follow existing Git review workflows
- Includes content creation, preview, approval and publishing
What doesn't
- Pro and Team are priced per user
- Pro and Team include 500 monthly credits per user
- Extra credits cost $25 per 500
- Best for enterprise needsContentstackContentstack
Contentstack targets enterprise teams with complex content needs, built-in hosting, and analytics. The published pricing lists a free starting tier and paid plans from $29. That feature breadth may suit larger operations, but the notes are less positive for simple projects or teams watching costs. Check whether your requirements justify the added enterprise-oriented scope.
What works
- Free plan includes one production stack and three users
- Build starts at $29/month
- Combines content management, analytics and personalization
What doesn't
- Build is capped at 250K API calls monthly
- Growth costs $299/month and includes 10 users
- Enterprise pricing is not published
- Best for personalizationContentfulContentful
Contentful is aimed at teams managing content across channels, businesses needing personalization features, and larger CMS operations. The published notes list a free plan but a steep Lite starting price of $300, alongside capped free usage. That pricing makes it a harder fit for smaller projects; compare the actual plan limits with your channel and personalization needs before switching.
What works
- Centralizes content for multiple channels
- Reusable content components across brands and regions
- Free plan includes 10 users and 100K API calls monthly
What doesn't
- Lite costs $300 per month
- Annual pricing and discounts are not published
- Free plan is capped at 100K API calls monthly
- Best for custom APIsStrapiStrapi
Strapi is for developers building custom REST or GraphQL APIs and teams that want backend customization and are comfortable self-hosting. The published pricing lists plans from $35. Its score is lower than the other picks, and the key checks are the hosted bill and editor experience. Choose it when API customization matters more than avoiding setup work.
What works
- Build content models through a no-code interface
- Generate REST and GraphQL APIs from content models
- Use reusable components and rearrangeable dynamic zones
What doesn't
- Hosted plans start at $35 per project monthly
- Starter includes 100,000 API requests per month
- Extra requests, storage, and bandwidth cost more
03How we chose
We compare the ten platforms on the factors that affect a switch: published pricing, plan limits, product documentation, and sentiment in Reddit discussions. We look for what the listed plans include, where caps or conditions apply, and what users report as trade-offs. Pricing and features can change, so we treat vendor pages and docs as the source of record and distinguish published terms from user opinion. This is a desk-based comparison; we do not claim hands-on testing, benchmarks, or trials.
04Choose around your delivery needs
Start with where your content has to go. A headless CMS manages content centrally and delivers it to websites, apps, and other channels through APIs. List the destinations your team needs now, then consider whether the same content must serve more later. That helps narrow the field without assuming every platform fits every publishing workflow.
Next, check the work your team will own: modeling content, maintaining integrations, and keeping editorial processes usable. Read the product docs for the capabilities and setup requirements that matter to your project. If a feature is essential, confirm it in the documentation rather than relying on a product label. Shortlist platforms against your actual publishing needs, team skills, and acceptable implementation effort—not a generic ranking.
05Compare the real cost before switching
A starting price is not the whole bill. Compare the published plan price with its limits and conditions, and check which plan includes the features your project needs. If a limit or price is not published, treat it as unknown and ask the vendor before committing. Do not assume that similarly named plans include the same things.
For a migration, map your existing content, integrations, and publishing process before choosing a replacement. Check the docs for how each candidate handles the parts you depend on, and use Reddit discussions as user reports—not a substitute for plan terms. Build a shortlist that accounts for both the subscription and the work of moving content and rebuilding connections. If the cost or a critical cap remains unclear, get written clarification before you switch.
Questions people ask
What are the top 5 CMS platforms?
There is no source-backed universal top five: the right choice depends on your delivery needs, plan limits, and team. This comparison covers Builder.io, Kirby, Sanity, Prismic, Contentful, Storyblok, Payload, Strapi, Directus, and Contentstack. Use the same requirements to compare them rather than treating a ranking as a fit guarantee.
Is Storyblok a headless CMS?
Yes. Storyblok is included in this headless CMS comparison. In this category, content is managed centrally and delivered to websites, apps, and other channels through APIs. Check Storyblok’s current product documentation and plan terms to confirm whether its capabilities and limits fit your project.
Is Sanity a headless CMS?
Yes. Sanity is included in this headless CMS comparison. The category covers platforms for managing content centrally and delivering it to websites, apps, and other channels via APIs. Consult Sanity’s current docs and pricing information to verify the features and plan limits relevant to your use case.
What is the difference between a CMS and a headless CMS?
A CMS is software for managing content. A headless CMS is a CMS delivery model in which content is managed centrally and sent to websites, apps, or other channels through APIs. The practical distinction is how content reaches its destinations; check the platform’s docs to see how its specific setup works.