Netlify CMS vs Strapi: What are the differences?

Introduction

Netlify CMS and Strapi are both content management systems that are used to create and manage website content. While they serve the same purpose, there are key differences between them that make them suitable for different use cases. This markdown code will outline the main differences between Netlify CMS and Strapi in a concise manner.

1. Hosting and Deployment: One key difference between Netlify CMS and Strapi is how they handle hosting and deployment. Netlify CMS is tightly integrated with the Netlify platform, which offers seamless hosting and deployment options. In contrast, Strapi can be self-hosted on any server, giving users more control over their hosting environment.

2. Ease of Use: Netlify CMS is designed to be extremely user-friendly and beginner-friendly. It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for non-technical users to create and manage content. Strapi, on the other hand, offers more features and flexibility but has a steeper learning curve, making it better suited for developers or users with technical expertise.

3. Customization and Extensibility: Strapi provides a highly customizable and extensible environment, allowing developers to tailor the CMS to their specific needs. It provides a powerful API-driven development approach and allows for the creation of custom plugins and extensions. Netlify CMS is more limited in terms of customization options and is geared towards simpler use cases.

4. Database Support: Netlify CMS relies on Git as its primary database, storing content as files in a Git repository. This makes it well-suited for static site generators and version control. Strapi, on the other hand, supports a variety of databases out of the box, including popular options like MongoDB and PostgreSQL, providing more flexibility for different project requirements.

5. User Roles and Permissions: Strapi offers advanced user roles and permissions management features, allowing fine-grained control over what users can access and edit within the CMS. Netlify CMS has limited support for user roles and permissions and is better suited for simpler content management needs without complex user management requirements.

6. Community and Documentation: Netlify CMS benefits from being part of the larger Netlify ecosystem, which has a strong and active community. It also has extensive documentation and resources available, making it easier for users to get started and troubleshoot any issues they may encounter. Strapi also has a thriving community and comprehensive documentation, but being an open-source project, support may vary depending on the specific setup and resources available.

In summary, Netlify CMS is a user-friendly and beginner-friendly CMS that is tightly integrated with the Netlify platform, while Strapi offers more advanced customization and extensibility options, making it better suited for developers or users with technical expertise.