Directus vs PocketBase
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs
D
Directus
Open-source headless CMS and data platform
4.5
Editorial RatingP
PocketBase
Open-source backend in a single file — realtime database, auth, and file storage
4.5
Editorial RatingQuick Comparison
Rating
4.5
vs4.5
Starting Price
Free
vsFree
Pricing Model
freemium
vsfree
Feature
Directus
PocketBase
REST & GraphQL API
Role-based access
File management
Webhooks
Custom dashboards
Embedded database
Realtime subscriptions
Built-in authentication
File storage
Admin dashboard
REST API
Directus Pros
- Database-agnostic
- Beautiful admin UI
- Strong API
- Active community
Directus Cons
- Cloud plans expensive
- Learning curve for complex setups
- Self-hosting requires maintenance
PocketBase Pros
- Single binary — incredibly easy to deploy
- Zero configuration needed
- Built-in auth, files, and realtime
- Perfect for MVPs and side projects
PocketBase Cons
- SQLite limits horizontal scaling
- Smaller ecosystem than Firebase/Supabase
- Not ideal for high-write workloads