In one of our recent blog posts, we introduced two new types of CMS: Headless CMS and Decoupled CMS. Today, I would like to introduce you to some typical examples from the Headless CMS sector.
Headless CMS
Unlike traditional CMS platforms such as WordPress and Joomla, Headless CMS platforms do not have a frontend. Instead, the stored content can be accessed via a REST API using any frontend technology (Content-as-a-Service). This not only gives you complete freedom when choosing the presentation layer, but also allows you to combine multiple output channels – such as a website and a mobile app.
The Agony of Choice
There is now a large number of different Headless CMS platforms, and the number continues to grow. A distinction must be made between commercial solutions (Software-as-a-Service) and open-source systems that you have to host yourself. Some commercial providers also make their source code available.
Directus
Directus has a very simple structure, making it intuitive and easy to use even for beginners without prior training. At the same time, it provides a powerful API for developers. The CMS was written entirely in JavaScript and includes a useful comment and notes feature. In the event of data loss, a rollback is possible at any time because all activities are tracked. It is also possible to upload and manage files, which is normally not possible with databases. However, the CMS reaches its limits when uploading large video files. Directus is available both as a free Community Edition (open source) and in extended commercial versions.
Contentful
Contentful also offers a very intuitive interface. Users can manage their content in a structured and interactive way using the integrated Compose editor. This CMS has been developed in Germany since 2013 and provides data backup and security features. It is scalable and is available both as a free Community Edition and as commercial Team or Enterprise Editions. The manufacturer's website also provides extensive online documentation.
Prismic
Prismic is a Headless CMS that is also used by major companies such as Google, Netflix, and eBay. Multilingual support, version history, and a preview feature are among Prismic's advantages, as is the ability to integrate e-commerce platforms such as Magento and Shopify. The free Community Edition is limited to one user. The paid versions are available at relatively affordable prices.
Magnolia
Magnolia is also a long-established system used by many renowned companies such as Allianz, BMW, and Sony. Its development began as early as 1997. Over the years, it has grown into one of the fastest and most powerful Headless CMS platforms. Magnolia is based on Java and is therefore platform-independent and highly scalable, making it particularly interesting for large enterprises. However, the open-source version offers far fewer features than the paid version.
Strapi
The open-source CMS Strapi can be easily extended using plugins and features a very simple interface. It was also developed in JavaScript and is based on Node.js, but its customization options are somewhat limited. Currently, only a self-hosted version is available. However, a cloud version (Software-as-a-Service) is planned.
ButterCMS
ButterCMS is also characterized by its ease of use – both for editors and web developers. Its streamlined structure, which is not overloaded with countless features, makes this CMS highly agile. Useful features such as search engine optimization (SEO) support and a blog engine are integrated. It can also be used in e-commerce environments. ButterCMS is a commercial Software-as-a-Service solution. The free version is also available, but may only be used for non-commercial projects.
Conclusion
The systems presented here are only a small selection from what has now become a very extensive range of solutions. This blog post is therefore merely a starting point for further research of your own.
Headless CMS platforms are certainly a trend worth keeping an eye on.
