Open-Source Alternatives to Webflow CMS / Contentful
Based on our dataset, the self-hostable open-source alternatives to Webflow CMS / Contentful are Directus and Ghost / Payload CMS. The Webflow CMS / Contentful plan we benchmark is Business CMS ($49/mo + $19/editor seat).
Data last updated . How we check.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | License | RAM in starter config | Needs Postgres / Redis | Migration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directus | BSL-1.1 (Free under $5M ARR) | 512 MB | Yes / Yes | Easy |
| Ghost / Payload CMS | MIT | 512 MB | No / No | Very Easy |
Directus
Instant REST & GraphQL headless CMS and visual data studio that wraps any SQL database cleanly
- Zero database schema lock-in (introspects raw Postgres)
- Built-in visual automation flows & dashboards
- Unlimited CMS items, locales & roles
Docker image directus/directus:11. GitHub: directus/directus (28.3k stars when our data was last updated). Website: https://directus.io
Ghost / Payload CMS
Next.js-native MIT Headless CMS (Payload) or all-in-one publishing + paid newsletter platform (Ghost)
- 0% transaction fee on Ghost paid memberships
- 100% MIT licensed code-first CMS with Payload 3.0
- Built-in SEO, sitemaps & newsletter delivery
Docker image ghost:5-alpine. GitHub: payloadcms/payload (31.2k stars when our data was last updated). Website: https://payloadcms.com
Switching from Webflow CMS / Contentful
- Pick an alternative above and open its comparison page for the cost breakdown.
- Generate a free starter
docker-compose.ymlin the stack builder. - Test it on a small server with a copy of your data before moving the team over.
- Check the migration notes in the table, and the official docs of the tool you pick.
More detail: Replace Webflow CMS / Contentful guide.
FAQ
What are the open-source alternatives to Webflow CMS / Contentful?
In the StackSwitcher dataset, the self-hostable open-source alternatives to Webflow CMS / Contentful are Directus, Ghost / Payload CMS.
Which Webflow CMS / Contentful plan does StackSwitcher compare against?
We benchmark Webflow CMS / Contentful Business CMS ($49/mo + $19/editor seat). The main pain point we note: 10,000 CMS item caps on Webflow and $300/mo tier cliffs on Contentful once you add a few editors or locales.
How much RAM does Directus need when self-hosted?
Our starter Docker config budgets 512 MB of RAM for Directus plus Postgres and Redis. Real needs depend on your usage.
How much RAM does Ghost / Payload CMS need when self-hosted?
Our starter Docker config budgets 512 MB of RAM for Ghost / Payload CMS. Real needs depend on your usage.
Config templates are MIT licensed and provided "AS IS", with no warranty of any kind and no liability. Prices and specs are informational estimates from our dataset, so check the vendor and project sites before you decide. See the Terms & No Warranty disclaimer.