APIs · head to head
Directus vs MkDocs
Directus
APIs
Open-source data platform providing REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
MkDocs
Documentation
Static site generator for project documentation in Markdown
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; MkDocs no built-in versioning, which Docusaurus provides and documentation teams eventually need
- They diverge on capability: Directus covers REST API, MkDocs covers Plain Markdown.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Directus and MkDocs actually diverge.
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 Directus
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Database management
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- SQLite
- Webhooks
- Node.js support
Only in MkDocs
- Plain Markdown
- Single YAML config
- Material theme
- Live preview
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 MkDocs
- Running a self hosted headless CMS over a schema you already ownnot MkDocs
MkDocs
- Project documentation for teams that would rather not run a JavaScript toolchainnot Directus
- Python projects keeping docs beside the codenot Directus
- Documentation that must build fast in CI on every commitnot 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
MkDocs
- No built-in versioning, which Docusaurus provides and documentation teams eventually need
- Extending past the theme means writing Python plugins
- Markdown only, so embedding interactive components is not the model
Pricing, plan by plan
Directus
Free- CommunityFree
- Self-hosted Directus
- Community support
- Cloud$25/monthly
- Managed cloud
- Automatic updates
- Backups
MkDocs
Free- MkDocsFree
- Full functionality
- Commercial use permitted
- Community support
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.
Choose MkDocs if
- You need plain markdown.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
- You also want single yaml config.
Questions people ask
- Is Directus or MkDocs better?
- Neither clearly leads. Directus starts at Free and MkDocs at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Directus or MkDocs?
- Directus starts at Free and MkDocs at Free.
- Does Directus or MkDocs run on more platforms?
- Directus runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker. MkDocs runs on Web, Linux, macOS, Windows.
- Can I use Directus for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 MkDocs is typically brought in for.
- What can Directus do that MkDocs cannot?
- Directus covers REST API, GraphQL API, Database management, PostgreSQL. MkDocs covers Plain Markdown, Single YAML config, Material theme, Live preview.
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.
SourceMkDocs: Is MkDocs free?
Yes, open source under the BSD licence. The Material theme has a free version and a paid Insiders edition.
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.
SourceMkDocs: MkDocs or Docusaurus?
MkDocs is simpler and faster to adopt, especially for Python teams. Docusaurus offers versioning, internationalisation and React components, which matter once documentation grows.
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.
SourceMkDocs: Does MkDocs support versioned docs?
Not natively. Plugins such as mike add it, where Docusaurus includes versioning in core.
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.
SourceDirectus: 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.
SourceRelated pages
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