Gentics Mesh
by Gentics Mesh

What Gentics Mesh is
Gentics Mesh is an open-source headless CMS for managing and delivering content through HTTP APIs. It offers REST and GraphQL interfaces, with GraphQL currently limited to read-only operations. Content can be arranged in hierarchical trees that generate navigation menus, breadcrumbs and URLs. The REST API supports multilingual content, while user and permission management, content preview and custom role permissions help teams manage editorial access. For media, the product accepts uploads and can resize or crop PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP images. Content search uses Elasticsearch, though GraphQL filtering can operate without it.
Authentication options include login, API tokens, OAuth2 and anonymous access. The product also supports OAuth2/OIDC authentication; a premium Keycloak plugin adds Keycloak or Red Hat SSO integration. MariaDB is the default relational database, with premium connectors for Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+. Deployment documentation covers Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd. Gentics positions Mesh for developers building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices and digital signage. The Apache 2.0 open-source edition costs nothing; premium features are licensed separately.
Who it suits
Gentics Mesh suits developers who want an API-first CMS to deliver localized content to websites, mobile apps, IoT applications, smart devices or digital signage. It is also relevant to teams needing hierarchical content, preview, media transformations and custom permissions, with the option to self-host.
What it does well
- Provides REST and GraphQL APIs for content access and management.
- REST supports multilingual content and custom permission management.
- Hierarchical content can generate menus, breadcrumbs and URLs.
- Resizes or crops PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP images.
- Apache 2.0 open-source edition is free.
What to know first
- GraphQL currently supports read-only operations.
- Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a valid license.
Limits
The free Apache 2.0 edition is available free of charge. Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a valid Gentics license, and premium features are licensed independently; a 12-month subscription includes updates and product maintenance for 12 months.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source edition | Apache 2.0 licensed; available as open-source software | Free |
| Premium features | Each feature is licensed independently; a 12 month subscription includes updates and product maintenance for 12 months. · Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a valid Gentics license | On request |
As gentics.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Gentics Mesh website.
- Choose the Apache 2.0 open-source edition or review premium features.
- Deploy using Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service or Linux systemd.
- Use the REST or GraphQL API to access and manage content.
Verdict
Choose Gentics Mesh if you need an open-source CMS with REST delivery, multilingual content and hierarchical organization, and can work with its GraphQL read-only limit. Look elsewhere if you need GraphQL write operations or require commercial plugins or extended SQL storage without a separate license.
Questions
Is Gentics Mesh open source?
Yes. Its open-source edition is available under the Apache 2.0 license.
Which APIs does it provide?
It provides REST and GraphQL APIs. GraphQL currently supports read-only operations.
Can it handle localized content?
Yes. The REST API supports multilingual content.
Where can Gentics Mesh be deployed?
Deployment documentation describes Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd options.
Which database does it use?
MariaDB is the default relational database. Premium connectors support Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+.
Facts from Gentics Mesh's own pages
- APIs
- The product provides REST and GraphQL APIs; the GraphQL API currently supports read-only operations. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- API types
- both · gentics.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Asset transformations
- Yes · gentics.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Authentication options
- Authentication options include login, API tokens, OAuth2 and anonymous access. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Content features
- Content can be organized in hierarchical trees that support automatically generated navigation menus, breadcrumbs and URLs. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Database support
- MariaDB is the default relational database; premium database connectors support Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The documentation describes Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd deployment options. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Vienna, Austria and Bern, Switzerland · gentics.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The product supports OAuth2/OIDC authentication, and a premium Keycloak plugin adds Keycloak or Red Hat SSO integration support. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Gentics Mesh as an open-source headless CMS for developers and positions it for building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices and digital signage. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Languages and permissions
- The REST API supports multilingual content, and the product provides user and permission management. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Content localization
- Yes · gentics.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Maintenance
- Long-term support releases are available to Product Maintenance subscribers and contain bug fixes and security updates without new features. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Media
- The product supports file uploads and image resizing or cropping for PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP images. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Content preview
- Yes · gentics.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Product
- Gentics Mesh is a headless or API-first CMS that provides HTTP APIs for accessing and managing content. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Role permissions
- custom · gentics.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Search
- Gentics Mesh provides content search with Elasticsearch; GraphQL filtering can also be used independently of Elasticsearch. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- User passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes, and the REST and GraphQL APIs use Gentics Mesh authentication. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Customers with a Professional Service contract can access a dedicated support system and report issues by phone; community users can use Gitter, Stack Overflow and GitHub. · gentics.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Gentics Mesh stands on Freedom251
- Headless CMS#13 of 34