Softwr

API Management · head to head

Directus vs Stoplight

Directus logo

Directus

API Management

Open-source data platform providing REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

API Management

API design, documentation, and governance platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: Directus covers REST API, Stoplight covers API Design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Directus and Stoplight actually diverge.

Attributes where Directus and Stoplight differ
AttributeDirectusStoplight
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, DockerWeb, Cloud

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (API Management), founded (2014).

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 Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Cloud support

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 Stoplight
  • Running a self hosted headless CMS over a schema you already ownnot Stoplight

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot Directus
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot 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

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

Pricing, plan by plan

Directus

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

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority 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.
Directus review

Choose Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.
Stoplight review

Questions people ask

Is Directus or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. Directus starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Directus or Stoplight?
Directus starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does Directus or Stoplight run on more platforms?
Directus runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
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 Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can Directus do that Stoplight cannot?
Directus covers REST API, GraphQL API, Database management, PostgreSQL. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitHub. Both handle Cloud support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Directus

More on Stoplight

Keep looking

Other head to heads