Headless WordPress vs Strapi
Headless WordPress
The world's most popular CMS, now headless
vs
Strapi
Open-source headless CMS
Headless WordPress and Strapi compared — feature by feature, with pricing and our honest take on which fits your build.
Feature
Headless WordPress
Strapi
Core Features
API Type
The type of API provided
REST (built-in), GraphQL (WPGraphQL)
REST & GraphQL
API Type
The type of API provided
REST (built-in), GraphQL (WPGraphQL)
REST & GraphQL
Content Versioning
Track content history
Yes (revisions)
Via plugins
Content Versioning
Track content history
Yes (revisions)
Via plugins
Real-time Collaboration
Multiple users editing simultaneously
Via plugins
✗
Real-time Collaboration
Multiple users editing simultaneously
Via plugins
✗
Live Preview
Preview content changes before publishing
Via plugins
Via plugins
Live Preview
Preview content changes before publishing
Via plugins
Via plugins
Multi-language Support
Built-in localization and internationalization
Via plugins (WPML, Polylang)
Yes (i18n plugin)
Multi-language Support
Built-in localization and internationalization
Via plugins (WPML, Polylang)
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
Free (+ hosting $4+/month)
Free (self-hosted)
Starting Price
Minimum monthly cost
Free (+ hosting $4+/month)
Free (self-hosted)
Pricing Model
How pricing is structured
Hosting costs only
Flat rate (cloud) or self-hosted
Pricing Model
How pricing is structured
Hosting costs only
Flat rate (cloud) or self-hosted
Content
Asset Management
Built-in DAM for images and media
Basic media library
Basic built-in
Asset Management
Built-in DAM for images and media
Basic media library
Basic built-in
Image Processing
Built-in image transformation and optimization
Via plugins
Via plugins
Image Processing
Built-in image transformation and optimization
Via plugins
Via plugins
Video Streaming
Native video hosting and streaming
Via plugins or third-party
Via plugins
Video Streaming
Native video hosting and streaming
Via plugins or third-party
Via plugins
Developer Features
Webhooks
Event-based notifications for content changes
Via plugins
✓
Webhooks
Event-based notifications for content changes
Via plugins
✓
GraphQL API
GraphQL query support
Yes (WPGraphQL plugin)
✓
GraphQL API
GraphQL query support
Yes (WPGraphQL plugin)
✓
REST API
RESTful API support
✓
✓
REST API
RESTful API support
✓
✓
SDKs Available
Official client libraries and SDKs
Community plugins for various languages
JS, React, Vue, Angular
SDKs Available
Official client libraries and SDKs
Community plugins for various languages
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
✓
✓
Headless WordPress Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Massive plugin ecosystem (60,000+ plugins)
- ✓Familiar interface for content editors worldwide
- ✓REST API built-in, GraphQL via WPGraphQL plugin
- ✓Affordable hosting options available everywhere
- ✓Huge community and extensive documentation
- ✓Can leverage existing WordPress expertise
Cons
- ✗Not designed as headless-first (requires plugins)
- ✗Performance and security concerns with many plugins
- ✗Legacy architecture can feel dated
- ✗GraphQL requires additional setup
- ✗Content modeling less structured than purpose-built headless CMS
- ✗Can be bloated for headless-only use cases
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
Headless WordPress vs Strapi pricing
Headless WordPress
Free (self-hosted). Managed hosting from £3/month. WP Engine from £16/month
Strapi
Free self-hosted. Cloud hosting starts at £79/month
How to choose
How to choose between Headless WordPress and Strapi
Both are strong choices — the right one comes down to what your build needs most. Here is where each one leans.
Lean Headless WordPress if you want
- →Massive plugin ecosystem (60,000+ plugins)
- →Familiar interface for content editors worldwide
- →REST API built-in, GraphQL via WPGraphQL plugin
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 Headless WordPress 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.