Category · 10 tools · 8 comparisons
Headless CMS platforms
Manage content centrally and deliver it to websites, apps, and other channels via APIs.
At a glance
- Tools tracked
- 10
- Entry plans
- $10–$300/mo
- Typical entry plan
- $35/mo
- Free plan
- 8 of 10
- Cheapest paid
- Prismic, $10/mo
- Best value score
- Payload, 8.5/10
Every tool we cover
Price tracker →| Tool | Score | From | Top listed plan | Free plan | Trial | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PayloadPayload | 8.0 | $35/mo* | $199/mo | Yes | — | Review |
 DirectusDirectus | 8.0 | $89/mo* | $588/mo | Yes | 14 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 SanitySanity | 7.8 | $15/mo | $15/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 PrismicPrismic | 7.7 | $10/mo | $675/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 StoryblokStoryblok | 7.3 | $90.75/mo | $319.91/mo | Yes | 45 days | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 KirbyKirby | 6.8 | Custom* | — | No | Yes | ReviewPricing |
 Builder.ioBuilder.io | 6.7 | $24/mo | $40/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ContentfulContentful | 6.5 | $300/mo | $300/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 ContentstackContentstack | 6.5 | $29/mo | $299/mo | Yes | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
 StrapiStrapi | 6.2 | $35/mo | $450/mo | No | — | ReviewPricingAlternatives |
* Lower confidence: the vendor's pricing page couldn't be read directly or didn't list every price, so the figure was compiled from other public sources and may be incomplete. Check the vendor's page before you buy.
Head-to-head
Highest scored
PayloadPayload
Strong value for developer-led teams; Cloud caps and roadmap uncertainty are the trade-offs.
DirectusDirectus
A strong fit for database-led teams; cloud plans get expensive as seats and collections grow.
SanitySanity
A strong fit for structured content and custom workflows; check seat costs and setup needs before switching.
Headless CMS platforms: quick answers
How much do headless CMS platforms cost?
Paid plans for the 10 headless CMS platforms we track start between $10 and $300 a month, and the typical entry plan is about $35 a month. 8 of them have a free plan. Kirby doesn't publish a starting price. Prices are the vendors' own, checked Nov 7, 2026; most quote the per-month price when billed annually.
Which headless CMS platform is the cheapest?
Which headless CMS platforms have a free plan?
Payload, Directus, Sanity, Prismic, Storyblok, Builder.io, Contentful and Contentstack have a free plan. Kirby offers a free trial instead. Free plans are usually capped on usage, seats or features; each review lists the limits.
Which headless CMS platform scores highest in our reviews?
Payload scores highest at 8.0/10. Strong value for developer-led teams; Cloud caps and roadmap uncertainty are the trade-offs.