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Best Headless CMS in 2026
When content must serve a site or app without being tied to its presentation, a headless CMS can provide a way to manage and deliver it. Compared on API types, asset transformations, content localization, and content preview, these entries let you weigh publishing needs alongside role permissions and webhooks. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost details to consider. Sanity, Prismic, and Directus are among the options shown, alongside dotCMS and Storyblok. Think about how your team organizes, reviews, and distributes content, then compare the listed capabilities and access controls against that workflow.
- 34 apps
- Research read 27 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
CrafterCMS
by CrafterCMSFree plan Open source APILinuxMac+3CrafterCMS offers distinct support and deployment models, from an open-source self-hosted release to fully managed SaaS. The listed plans do not include prices, so check with the maker for plan costs.
- 2
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- 5
Payload CMS
by Payload CMSFree plan APISelf-hostedWebChoose Payload CMS if you want an open-source framework and backend with APIs, an admin panel, and self-hosting flexibility.
- 6
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- 9
Sanity
Free plan WebSanity combines content authoring, APIs, collaboration, and automation in a web platform.
- 10
- 11
DatoCMS
Free plan APIWebDatoCMS combines structured content management, editorial tools, and API delivery for teams working across languages and channels.
- 12
Webiny
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebChoose Webiny if you want a programmable content platform with a self-hosted deployment path, GraphQL APIs, and tools for managing multiple sites or markets.
- 13
Gentics Mesh
by Gentics MeshFree plan APILinuxMac+3Choose 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.
- 14
Directus
Free plan Web - 15
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Contentful
by ContentfulFree plan WebChoose Contentful if your team needs web-based content tools with localization, preview, webhooks, and asset transformations.
- 18
Cosmic
Free plan WebiPhoneAndroidChoose Cosmic if your team needs content localization, permissions, previews, webhooks, and asset transformations alongside a REST API.
- 19
TinaCMS
Free plan APISelf-hostedWebTinaCMS brings visual editing and a content API to a Git-based content workflow. Its plan limits and the placement of Editorial Workflow matter when choosing a tier.
- 20
KeystoneJS
by KeystoneJSFree plan APISelf-hostedWebKeystoneJS combines a schema-driven CMS with backend capabilities, GraphQL, rich-text editing, and configurable permissions.
- 21
Builder.io
by Builder.ioFree plan APIExtensionWebBuilder.io combines software-building tools with a CMS and visual editing for production interfaces.
- 22
Cockpit CMS
by Cockpit CMSFree plan WebCockpit CMS provides a free open-source core alongside a clearly defined Pro license. Review the one-site allowance and ongoing update cost when deciding whether Pro fits your publishing setup.
- 23
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Contento
Free plan APIWebContento combines content management and website-focused tools, with a free tier and defined capacity limits. The developer requirement and plan ceilings are key factors when choosing a tier.
- 25
Agility CMS
by Agility CMSFree plan APIWebAgility CMS combines visual content operations with broad API and SDK support. Its free access options lower the barrier to evaluation, while paid entry begins at $699 a month.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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