Contentful vs Strapi
Contentful
The content platform to build digital experiences
vs
Strapi
Open-source headless CMS
Contentful and Strapi compared — feature by feature, with pricing and our honest take on which fits your build.
Feature
Contentful
Strapi
Core Features
API Type
The type of API provided
GraphQL & REST
REST & GraphQL
API Type
The type of API provided
GraphQL & REST
REST & GraphQL
Content Versioning
Track content history
✓
Via plugins
Content Versioning
Track content history
✓
Via plugins
Real-time Collaboration
Multiple users editing simultaneously
✗
✗
Real-time Collaboration
Multiple users editing simultaneously
✗
✗
Live Preview
Preview content changes before publishing
✓
Via plugins
Live Preview
Preview content changes before publishing
✓
Via plugins
Multi-language Support
Built-in localization and internationalization
✓
Yes (i18n plugin)
Multi-language Support
Built-in localization and internationalization
✓
Yes (i18n plugin)
Getting Started
Ease of Use
Skill level required: 1 = DIY friendly, 5 = Developer expertise required
Ease of Use
Skill level required: 1 = DIY friendly, 5 = Developer expertise required
Pricing
Free Tier
Does it offer a free tier?
✓
✓
Free Tier
Does it offer a free tier?
✓
✓
Starting Price
Minimum monthly cost
£239/month
Free (self-hosted)
Starting Price
Minimum monthly cost
£239/month
Free (self-hosted)
Pricing Model
How pricing is structured
User + content-based
Flat rate (cloud) or self-hosted
Pricing Model
How pricing is structured
User + content-based
Flat rate (cloud) or self-hosted
Content
Asset Management
Built-in DAM for images and media
Built-in DAM
Basic built-in
Asset Management
Built-in DAM for images and media
Built-in DAM
Basic built-in
Image Processing
Built-in image transformation and optimization
Built-in (Images API)
Via plugins
Image Processing
Built-in image transformation and optimization
Built-in (Images API)
Via plugins
Video Streaming
Native video hosting and streaming
No (third-party)
Via plugins
Video Streaming
Native video hosting and streaming
No (third-party)
Via plugins
Developer Features
Webhooks
Event-based notifications for content changes
✓
✓
Webhooks
Event-based notifications for content changes
✓
✓
GraphQL API
GraphQL query support
✓
✓
GraphQL API
GraphQL query support
✓
✓
REST API
RESTful API support
✓
✓
REST API
RESTful API support
✓
✓
SDKs Available
Official client libraries and SDKs
JS, Ruby, Python, PHP, Java, .NET
JS, React, Vue, Angular
SDKs Available
Official client libraries and SDKs
JS, Ruby, Python, PHP, Java, .NET
JS, React, Vue, Angular
Deployment
Open Source
Is the platform open source?
✗
✓
Open Source
Is the platform open source?
✗
✓
Self-Hosting Option
Can be self-hosted on your infrastructure
✗
✓
Self-Hosting Option
Can be self-hosted on your infrastructure
✗
✓
Contentful Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Mature platform with proven enterprise scalability
- ✓Intuitive UI for content editors and marketers
- ✓Extensive integration ecosystem (200+ integrations)
- ✓Strong API performance and reliability
- ✓Advanced content workflow capabilities
- ✓Excellent documentation and community
Cons
- ✗Expensive for growing teams and mid-size businesses
- ✗Can feel rigid compared to newer flexible solutions
- ✗Complex pricing model with usage-based costs
- ✗Limited customisation of the content studio UI
Strapi Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓100% open source and self-hostable for full control
- ✓No content limits on self-hosted deployments
- ✓Good plugin ecosystem with customisable admin panel
- ✓Supports both REST and GraphQL APIs
- ✓Active community and frequent updates
- ✓Great for custom integrations
Cons
- ✗Requires server management if self-hosting
- ✗Fewer out-of-the-box integrations than commercial options
- ✗Performance depends heavily on hosting setup
- ✗UI less polished than enterprise alternatives
Pricing
Contentful vs Strapi pricing
Contentful
Free tier for 2 users. Team plan starts at £239/month
Strapi
Free self-hosted. Cloud hosting starts at £79/month
How to choose
How to choose between Contentful and Strapi
Both are strong choices — the right one comes down to what your build needs most. Here is where each one leans.
Lean Contentful if you want
- →Mature platform with proven enterprise scalability
- →Intuitive UI for content editors and marketers
- →Extensive integration ecosystem (200+ integrations)
Lean Strapi if you want
- →100% open source and self-hostable for full control
- →No content limits on self-hosted deployments
- →Good plugin ecosystem with customisable admin panel
The SmartaStudio take
We build with both Contentful and Strapi, so we have no dog in the fight — the right choice depends on your project, not a leaderboard. See the full Headless CMS lineup on our platforms hub, or tell us about your build and we will give you a reasoned recommendation.
Still weighing it up?
Answer a few questions about your project and get a reasoned recommendation — or talk it through with us directly.