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APIs · head to head

Directus vs Fintech Farm

Directus logo

Directus

APIs

Open-source data platform providing REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fintech Farm logo

Fintech Farm

APIs

"Neobank in a box" for banks in emerging markets, paid on a performance basis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Directus has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Directus free permissive use of the self hosted product is limited to organisations under $5M annual revenue with fewer than 50 employees, so crossing either threshold turns a free dependency into a paid licence; Fintech Farm the performance-based model means a bank is entering an ongoing revenue-sharing relationship rather than buying a one-time or fixed-fee software licence, which changes long-term cost dynamics as the neobank grows.
  • They diverge on capability: Directus covers REST API, Fintech Farm covers End-to-end neobank stack.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Directus and Fintech Farm actually diverge.

Attributes where Directus and Fintech Farm differ
AttributeDirectusFintech Farm
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, DockerWeb, iOS, Android
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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 Directus

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Database management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • SQLite
  • Webhooks
  • Node.js support

Only in Fintech Farm

  • End-to-end neobank stack
  • Credit scoring engines
  • Debit, credit and BNPL products
  • Investment features
  • Performance-based partnership
  • Emerging market focus

What people use each for

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

Directus

  • Wrapping an existing SQL database in a REST and GraphQL API with an admin interfacenot Fintech Farm
  • Running a self hosted headless CMS over a schema you already ownnot Fintech Farm

Fintech Farm

  • A mid-sized regulated bank in an emerging market wanting to launch a neobank without building digital product expertise in housenot Directus
  • A bank wanting a partner compensated on growth outcomes rather than a fixed software licencenot Directus
  • An institution needing credit scoring built specifically for thin-file, underbanked emerging market customersnot Directus
  • A bank expanding into a new emerging market and wanting a proven neobank launch playbook rather than starting from scratchnot Directus

Where each one falls short

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

Directus

  • Free permissive use of the self hosted product is limited to organisations under $5M annual revenue with fewer than 50 employees, so crossing either threshold turns a free dependency into a paid licence
  • The free Core tier is a hard limit of 3 seats, 25 collections and 5 flows
  • The Team plan is $499 a month billed annually, or $599 monthly, with extra seats at $50 each
  • Team caps collections at 50, expandable to 100, and flows at 20

Fintech Farm

  • The performance-based model means a bank is entering an ongoing revenue-sharing relationship rather than buying a one-time or fixed-fee software licence, which changes long-term cost dynamics as the neobank grows.
  • It requires the partner bank to already hold a banking licence and balance sheet, so it is not usable by a company wanting to launch banking services without any existing regulatory status.
  • Focus on emerging markets means less proven track record in developed, heavily regulated markets such as the US or Western Europe.
  • As a smaller, founder-led company relative to Mambu or Temenos, its longevity and ability to support partner banks over a decade-plus relationship carries more vendor-risk uncertainty.
  • Being compensated on customer and revenue growth creates a natural incentive to prioritise growth-driving features over, for example, deep compliance tooling that does not directly move those metrics.

Pricing, plan by plan

Directus

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Directus
    • Community support
  • Cloud$25/monthly
    • Managed cloud
    • Automatic updates
    • Backups

Fintech Farm

On request
  • Fintech Farm$undefined/year
    • Performance-based compensation tied to customer numbers and revenue generated
    • No published flat licence fee

Which should you pick?

Choose Directus if

  • You need rest api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want graphql api.
Directus review

Choose Fintech Farm if

  • You need end-to-end neobank stack.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want credit scoring engines.
Fintech Farm review

Questions people ask

Is Directus or Fintech Farm better?
Neither clearly leads. Directus starts at Free and Fintech Farm at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Directus or Fintech Farm?
Directus has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Directus and On request for Fintech Farm.
Does Directus or Fintech Farm run on more platforms?
Directus runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker. Fintech Farm runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Directus for free?
Yes. Directus has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fintech Farm starts at On request.
What is Directus best used for?
Directus is most often used for wrapping an existing sql database in a rest and graphql api with an admin interface, running a self hosted headless cms over a schema you already own. Of those, wrapping an existing sql database in a rest and graphql api with an admin interface and running a self hosted headless cms over a schema you already own are not what Fintech Farm is typically brought in for.
What can Directus do that Fintech Farm cannot?
Directus covers REST API, GraphQL API, Database management, PostgreSQL. Fintech Farm covers End-to-end neobank stack, Credit scoring engines, Debit, credit and BNPL products, Investment features.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Directus: What is Directus's pricing?

Directus Core is free and self-hosted. The Team tier costs $499/month (annual) or $599/month (rolling), including 10 user seats and cloud hosting at $99/month additional. Enterprise plans have custom pricing. Additional seats cost $50/month each.

Source
Fintech Farm: How is Fintech Farm paid?

On a performance basis, tied to the number of customers and revenue its neobank product generates for the partner bank, rather than a flat licence fee.

Directus: Can I use Directus for free?

Yes, Directus Core is completely free with 3 user seats, 25 Collections, 5 Flows, AI Assistant, and Advanced RBAC. Self-hosting is available at no cost.

Source
Fintech Farm: Does the bank need its own licence?

Yes, Fintech Farm partners with banks that already hold a banking licence and balance sheet; it does not provide the licence itself.

Directus: How many user seats does each Directus tier include?

Core includes 3 user seats, Team includes 10 SSO seats, and Enterprise includes custom SSO seat counts. Additional Team seats cost $50/seat per month.

Source
Fintech Farm: Which markets does it focus on?

Emerging markets, including operations across regions such as Vietnam, Nigeria and increasingly India.

Directus: What happens to my monthly Directus plan if I switch?

Monthly plans are grandfathered for six months after switching, and annual plans are honored until renewal. Self-hosted licenses are handled case-by-case at renewal.

Source
Directus: Is there a free trial for Directus?

No trial period is mentioned. Users can start with the free Core tier immediately without a credit card.

Source
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