Softwr

E-commerce · head to head

Contentful vs Hasura

Contentful logo

Contentful

E-commerce

The content platform for the digital-first era

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hasura logo

Hasura

API Management

GraphQL engine that instantly creates production-ready GraphQL API from databases

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Contentful pricing model with content type limits (48) forces full tier upgrades; Hasura database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only
  • They diverge on capability: Contentful covers Content modeling, Hasura covers Real-time subscriptions.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Contentful and Hasura actually diverge.

Attributes where Contentful and Hasura differ
AttributeContentfulHasura
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb
CategoryE-commerceAPI Management
Founded20132017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Contentful

  • Content modeling
  • RESTful APIs
  • Rich text editor
  • Asset management
  • Multi-language support
  • Version control
  • Gatsby
  • Next.js

Only in Hasura

  • Real-time subscriptions
  • Access control
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • REST APIs
  • Cloud support
  • Self-hosted support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • GraphQL API
  • Webhooks

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Contentful

  • Website content managementnot Hasura
  • Mobile app contentnot Hasura
  • E-commerce catalogsnot Hasura
  • Multi-channel publishingnot Hasura
  • Digital experiencesnot Hasura

Hasura

  • Automatic GraphQL API generation from existing databasesnot Contentful
  • Real-time data subscriptions for modern applicationsnot Contentful
  • Backend infrastructure for web and mobile applicationsnot Contentful
  • Event-triggered webhooks for database changesnot Contentful

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Contentful

  • Pricing model with content type limits (48) forces full tier upgrades
  • Limited GraphQL mutations for content management complexity
  • Requires significant technical expertise and developer dependency
  • Uncertainty following Salesforce acquisition announcement in June 2026

Hasura

  • Database support limited to PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ClickHouse, and MS SQL Server only

Pricing, plan by plan

Contentful

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 10 users
    • 100K API calls per month
    • 1 Space
  • Team$489/month
    • Higher usage limits
    • Additional collaboration features
    • Professional support

Hasura

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Hasura review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Contentful if

  • You need content modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want restful apis.
Contentful review

Choose Hasura if

  • You need real-time subscriptions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want access control.
Hasura review

Questions people ask

Is Contentful or Hasura better?
Neither clearly leads. Contentful starts at Free and Hasura at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Contentful or Hasura?
Contentful starts at Free and Hasura at Free.
Does Contentful or Hasura run on more platforms?
Contentful runs on Web, API. Hasura runs on Web.
Can I use Contentful for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Contentful best used for?
Contentful is most often used for website content management, mobile app content, e-commerce catalogs, multi-channel publishing. Of those, website content management and mobile app content are not what Hasura is typically brought in for.
What can Contentful do that Hasura cannot?
Contentful covers Content modeling, RESTful APIs, Rich text editor, Asset management. Hasura covers Real-time subscriptions, Access control, PostgreSQL, MySQL. Both handle GraphQL API, Webhooks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Contentful: Does Contentful offer a free tier?

Yes, Contentful has a Free tier with 10 users, 100K API calls per month, and support for 1 Space. This is suitable for small projects and proof-of-concept work.

Source
Contentful: What is the difference between Contentful and traditional CMS platforms?

Contentful is a headless CMS that decouples content from presentation, allowing you to deliver the same content across websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, and voice assistants without duplication.

Source
Contentful: How does Contentful handle multi-locale content?

Contentful supports multi-locale content, though multi-locale costs must be negotiated upfront depending on your pricing tier and requirements.

Source
Contentful: Does Contentful integrate with e-commerce platforms?

Yes, Contentful partners with Commerce Layer, an API-first commerce platform, to enable enterprise-grade e-commerce experiences alongside headless CMS capabilities.

Source
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