Directus vs KeystoneJS: What are the differences?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language that can be used to format content for websites. It is commonly used to create text documents that can be easily converted to HTML. In this task, I will format the provided information about the key differences between Directus and KeystoneJS as Markdown code.

1. Data Structure: Directus allows a more flexible data structure as it does not enforce relationships between collections, whereas KeystoneJS enforces relationships between collections by default. This means that Directus allows for more freedom in designing the data structure, while KeystoneJS provides a more structured approach.

2. CMS vs Framework: Directus is primarily a headless CMS (Content Management System) that focuses on providing a user-friendly interface for content management, whereas KeystoneJS is a full-featured JavaScript framework that includes CMS functionality as one of its features. Directus is more suited for content management tasks, while KeystoneJS is more versatile for building full-stack applications.

3. Database Support: Directus supports a wide range of databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite, allowing developers to choose the database that best fits their project requirements. On the other hand, KeystoneJS primarily supports MongoDB, a NoSQL database. This difference in database support gives developers more options when using Directus.

4. Authentication and Authorization: Directus provides built-in authentication and role-based access controls, allowing developers to manage user permissions easily. KeystoneJS also provides authentication and access controls, but it does not have the same level of granular control over permissions as Directus. Directus offers more robust and customizable authentication and authorization features.

5. Customization and Extensibility: Directus offers a highly customizable interface, which allows developers to white-label and customize the CMS to match their branding and requirements. KeystoneJS, on the other hand, provides a more opinionated interface and is less customizable in terms of appearance. Directus provides more flexibility for customization and extensibility.

6. API-First Approach: Directus follows an API-first approach, with a RESTful API at its core. This allows developers to build custom front-end applications that consume data from Directus easily. KeystoneJS also provides an API, but its focus is more on the Framework part, with the CMS being an additional feature. Directus is more suitable for headless CMS use cases.

In summary, the key differences between Directus and KeystoneJS include the flexibility of the data structure, the focus on CMS functionality versus being a full-featured framework, the range of supported databases, the level of control over authentication and authorization, the customization and extensibility options, and the API-first approach. Each platform has its strengths and is suitable for different use cases.