Directus
Open-source data platform and headless CMS that wraps any SQL database — a Dutch alternative to Strapi.
Overview
Directus is a Amsterdam, Netherlands-based European company building cms, developer tools, and open source software since 2012. As an EU-headquartered provider, Directus operates under GDPR and is outside the reach of the US CLOUD Act, making it a privacy-friendly alternative to WordPress.com and WP Engine for European teams.
Why European teams pick Directus
Teams in Europe pick Directus when they want a cms provider that bills in EUR, supports their local data-protection officer requirements, and keeps customer data under Netherlands law, operating since 2012. Compared with WordPress.com and WP Engine, Directus avoids cross-border data transfers under Schrems II and the US CLOUD Act, which is often the deciding factor for European procurement and legal teams.
See more EU cms tools or browse other startups from Netherlands.
About
Directus is a Netherlands-based open-source data platform and headless CMS that wraps any SQL database — PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB, SQL Server — with a real-time API and a no-code data management interface. Unlike traditional CMSs, Directus does not impose a content schema — it works with your existing database structure. It is fully self-hostable under the BSL 1.1 licence and can be deployed on any EU server. Directus Cloud is also available. Because it connects directly to your existing database, all content data stays wherever your database is hosted. It is popular among EU development teams and enterprises that need an admin panel and API layer for their existing PostgreSQL or MySQL databases without migrating to a proprietary CMS data model.
Details
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
Categories
Other EU startups like Directus
- FjordIDNorway — Managed OIDC/OAuth2 identity platform hosted on Hetzner in Germany. Drop-in Auth0 replacement with EU data residency and zero US subprocessors.
- RailwayUnited Kingdom — Instant deployment infrastructure for developers — popular across European teams.
- LiveblocksFrance — APIs for adding collaborative real-time features to your app — a French alternative to Firebase Realtime.
- PocketbaseBulgaria — Open-source backend in a single file — a European alternative to Firebase.
- NocoDBGermany — Open-source Airtable alternative that turns databases into smart spreadsheets.
- BaserowNetherlands — Open-source no-code database and Airtable alternative — built in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
What is Directus?
Directus is a Netherlands-based open-source data platform and headless CMS that wraps any SQL database — PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB, SQL Server — with a real-time API and a no-code data management interface. Unlike traditional CMSs, Directus does not impose a content schema — it works with your existing database structure. It is fully self-hostable under the BSL 1.1 licence and can be deployed on any EU server. Directus Cloud is also available. Because it connects directly to your existing database, all content data stays wherever your database is hosted. It is popular among EU development teams and enterprises that need an admin panel and API layer for their existing PostgreSQL or MySQL databases without migrating to a proprietary CMS data model.
What does Directus do?
Directus is open-source data platform and headless cms that wraps any sql database — a dutch alternative to strapi. It is listed under cms, developer tools, and open source on EU Alts because its core functionality serves teams looking for a European cms tool with EU data residency, typically as a switch away from WordPress.com and WP Engine.
Is Directus a good European cms alternative?
Directus is a fit for European businesses evaluating cms options where data residency and GDPR alignment matter — typical buyers include EU-based SaaS teams, public-sector projects, regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal), and any organisation that needs to demonstrate that customer data does not leave the EU. It also overlaps with developer tools and open source use cases.
Is Directus GDPR compliant?
Directus is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands and falls under EU jurisdiction, so it processes user data under the GDPR by default. Customer data processing is supervised by Netherlands's data protection authority, the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP). Because the company is not US-incorporated, it is not subject to the US CLOUD Act — meaning US authorities cannot compel Directus to disclose customer data the way they can with WordPress.com and WP Engine. For European buyers, that often simplifies DPIA paperwork and standard contractual clauses.
How do teams switch from WordPress.com to Directus?
Most teams move to Directus from WordPress.com and WP Engine because they want EU data residency without giving up the core cms workflow. Directus's Netherlands base means a single jurisdiction for both the company and (typically) its hosting infrastructure, so you can drop Schrems II transfer impact assessments for this part of your stack. Plan the migration in stages: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot Directus with a small team, then move the rest once the integration coverage you need is confirmed.
Where is Directus based?
Directus is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company was founded in 2012. Its main website is https://directus.io.