# Directus

> Directus is a source-available app you can self-host in the database management category. An Instant App & API for your SQL Database. Directus wraps your new or existing SQL database with a realtime GraphQL+REST API for developers, and an intuitive admin app for non-technical users. It has 38,026 GitHub stars, is source-available under the Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 (not an OSI-approved open-source license) and ships a Docker image. It is a self-hosted alternative to Firebase, Supabase, Airtable, Retool, Bubble and Webflow.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | https://github.com/directus/directus |
| Website | https://directus.io/ |
| GitHub stars | 38,026 |
| Forks | 4,959 |
| Open issues | 349 |
| License | Monospace Sustainable Core License 1.0 |
| License type | Source-available |
| License file | https://github.com/directus/directus/blob/main/license |
| Language | TypeScript |
| Docker image | Yes |
| Platforms | Nodejs, Docker |
| Categories | Database Management |
| Commits, last 12 months | 736 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | v12.4.1 (Sep 23, 2026) |
| Created | Dec 12, 2012 |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained |
| Archived | No |

Topics: api, cms, graphql, app, database, vue, sqlite, mysql, postgresql, mssql

## Install

Directus ships a Docker image; follow the README at https://github.com/directus/directus for the image name and environment variables.

Need it installed for you? [appsgit installation help](https://appsgit.com/services/install): a fixed quote by email, single app installs from $79.

## Directus replaces

- [Firebase alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/firebase): Google's backend-as-a-service with database, auth, storage and functions.
- [Supabase alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/supabase): A hosted Postgres backend with auth, storage and realtime APIs.
- [Airtable alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/airtable): A spreadsheet-database hybrid for building lightweight business apps.
- [Retool alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/retool): A low-code platform for building internal tools and admin panels.
- [Bubble alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/bubble): A no-code platform for building web apps visually.
- [Webflow alternatives](https://appsgit.com/alternatives/webflow): A visual site builder and CMS for designers.

## Comparisons

- [Strapi vs Directus](https://appsgit.com/compare/strapi-vs-directus): Pick Strapi for a code-first, MIT-licensed headless CMS you shape in JavaScript; pick Directus to put an instant API and admin app on top of an existing SQL database.

## Similar apps in Database Management

- [NocoDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/nocodb): No-code platform that turns any database into a smart spreadsheet (alternative to Airtable and Smartsheet). (65,197 stars, SUL-1.0, source-available, TypeScript, Docker)
- [MindsDB](https://appsgit.com/apps/mindsdb): AI layer for existing databases that allows you to effortlessly develop, train and deploy state-of-the-art machine learning models using standard queries. (39,780 stars, MIT, Makefile, Docker)
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