A headless content management system (CMS) handles and distributes content without using a traditional website. It provides an API to deliver content to different devices or platforms. Headless CMS platforms enables the creation of digital experiences beyond standard web browsers.
A headless CMS manages and delivers content using APIs, without focusing on how the content will be displayed. Unlike traditional CMS platforms such as WordPress, which integrate backend and frontend components, a headless CMS prioritizes content storage and enables its display in various formats—whether on websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, or wearable tech.
How it works:
Backend (Content Repository): A headless CMS allows content creators to manage and edit their content through an interface, similar to a traditional CMS.
APIs like REST and GraphQL deliver specific content to multiple front ends based on the requested information and format.
Frontend (Presentation Layer): Developers can design the frontend independently, allowing them to choose any technology stack. Whether they build a website, mobile app, or another digital platform, they have full flexibility.
Here are the top 20 headless CRM platforms
1. Strapi
Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that allows developers to create, manage, and deploy content-driven web applications efficiently. Its user-friendly interface lets you quickly build custom fields and models. Strapi integrates easily with external services through its APIs, providing flexibility in content management. With Strapi, developers can customize their projects and streamline workflows, making it an ideal choice for building dynamic applications. Its open-source nature also encourages community contributions, ensuring continuous improvements and scalability for businesses of any size.
2. Directus
Directus is a self-hosted headless CMS platform built for modern web applications and websites. It offers powerful APIs that let developers create custom fields and models while connecting to multiple databases simultaneously. Its intuitive UI allows teams to preview and manage content easily from a single location.
3. Contentful
Contentful is a cutting-edge headless CMS that enables developers to create content-rich websites and apps by organizing content in flexible containers. This platform allows users to easily create, manage, publish, and distribute content while deploying it to the front end of any project.
4. Stroyblok
Storyblok is a headless CMS that lets developers create websites and applications without needing to handle the underlying content management system. It centralizes content storage in one repository, simplifying management and updates. With its API, Storyblok allows for easy retrieval and modification of content from any location.
5. DatoCMS
DatoCMS is a cloud-based content management system that features an easy-to-use editor for effortlessly creating and managing structured content. Its APIs allows developers to build custom applications and integrate them with various services, such as e-commerce platforms and analytics tools.
6. Prismic
Prismic offers a content management experience within a component-based site builder. It allows developers to create websites by customizing the frontend with any programming language.
7. Hygraph (GraphCMS)
Hygraph is a cloud-hosted content management system that uses APIs to present stored content on any device or digital platform. It enables you to deliver omnichannel content by prioritizing API-first approaches, supporting a variety of programming languages.
8. Sanity
Sanity is a headless CMS designed for developers, simplifying the creation of high-performance web applications with dynamic content. It offers a wide range of plugins, allowing developers to enhance their applications with additional features or integrate external services. As a unified content platform, Sanity empowers businesses to deliver engaging digital experiences across multiple channels in real time.
9. ButterCMS
ButterCMS is a headless content management system (CMS) that allows users to handle their content through a straightforward, intuitive interface. It stores all content in the cloud, making it easily accessible and manageable from any location. Moreover, ButterCMS supports integration with various major programming languages, enabling you to effortlessly create custom applications or websites based on your content.
10. Kontent
Kontent stands out as one of the top headless CMS platforms, providing developers the flexibility to connect with their preferred technologies and build websites using their choice of frameworks, programming languages, and tools.
11. Agility CMS
Agility is a headless CMS designed to make content management hassle-free. It features an intuitive interface, offering page-focused tools that enable smooth content organization and control. Built on a JAMstack architecture, Agility is accessible to developers of all levels and integrates effortlessly with various third-party applications.
12. Contentstack
Contentstack is designed to help creative professionals and modern developers enhance their output. Its agile, flexible, and highly customizable platform offers features like workflow improvements, live previews, modular content blocks, localization capabilities, and an AI assistant powered by ChatGPT integration.
13. dotCMS
dotCMS is ideal for managing personalized content across multiple platforms, helping you succeed in the constantly evolving digital landscape. With its drag-and-drop content model, dotCMS enables you to easily create and organize rich text, dates, media, snippets, and various other content types.
14. Magnolia
Magnolia is a free headless CMS that emphasizes its wide range of features, including content personalization, campaign management, user-friendly interfaces for marketers, and digital asset handling. The platform is also low-code, allowing marketers to efficiently manage tasks without needing assistance from developers.
15. Webiny
Webiny is an open-source, self-hosted headless content management system built to streamline the process of creating, managing, and distributing content. As one of the most scalable and customizable CMS platforms available, it adapts swiftly to handle high traffic demands in a matter of seconds.
16. Drupal
Made for professional web developers, Drupal offers a flexible API architecture that supports various digital platforms. Additionally, websites built on Drupal often experience higher web traffic than those using other CMS platforms. It is an excellent choice for advanced users with strong technical skills looking to build large, complex websites.
17. Turtl
Turtl is a headless CMS for building engaging and interactive digital documents. Its user-friendly, no-code platform, along with features like a drag-and-drop editor, makes content creation simple while boosting performance and audience interaction. Additionally, Turtl offers data and analytics to give you deeper insights into your readers.
18. Zesty.io
Zesty.io is on the list of headless CMS platforms, because it allows users to efficiently create, test, and launch content. This adaptable tool is designed to provide seamless digital experiences across all channels and devices, making content management more efficient.
19. CloudCannon
CloudCannon is an intuitive headless CMS that simplifies content publishing for editors and publishers, eliminating the need to rely on developers. It allows users to share and review updates directly on a live website. Additionally, the platform streamlines webpage creation by offering custom, brand-aligned components.
20. Amplience
Amplience enables marketers and content editors to quickly create and publish content using a simple, user-friendly backend system. This headless CMS stores content in a backend repository, allowing non-technical users to manage it effortlessly while keeping the frontend presentation untouched.
In conclusion, headless CMS platforms are changing the way businesses manage and deliver content. By decoupling the backend from the frontend, these platforms offer unmatched flexibility, scalability, and speed. As a startup, a large enterprise, or a developer looking to create custom digital experiences, a headless CMS can be the perfect solution for managing and delivering content across multiple channels.