An Updated List of the Best Headless CMS Platforms Is Right Here!

Current Headless Content Management Situation

The fast adoption of new technology during the last two years is expected to continue in the next year.

Things have only become more exciting due to the recent infusion of cash and investment for a number of significant participants in the content management system (CMS) market. Market Watch estimates that the size of the CMS industry market will increase by $116.2 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 13.3%, from $62.4 billion in 2020.

However, it might be challenging to choose the best given the wide range of headless CMS solutions available. We have developed a list of headless CMS solutions to assist you. We will be looking at the following platforms in this article.

However, before you question, "What does headless CMS mean?

A Headless CMS: What Is It?

Understanding the distinction between a headless CMS and a conventional or "connected" CMS is necessary in order to define a headless CMS.

You are undoubtedly used to a coupled CMS, represented by companies like WordPress and Drupal. With a typical CMS, the backend and front end of the website are integrated into a single monolithic platform. The front end uses templates and CSS code to present material to website visitors. At the same time, the backend often comprises a SQL database with code and third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.

Traditional CMS solutions are perfect for businesses and brands that don't need to learn complex coding in order to create, edit and publish content on their websites. Additionally, typical CMSs include WYSIWYG editors and drag-and-drop features, making it possible for less tech-savvy users to develop websites. However, compared to headless CMS, conventional CMSs tend to be slower and harder to manage. It is only one of their many downsides.

A decoupled CMS is comparable to a headless CMS. Decoupled refers to the division of a website's administration into two different systems the front-end and the backend. When the material is generated and changed in a website's backend, it is transferred over an application programming interface (API) and published in the website's front end in a decoupled system.

Decoupled systems enable marketers to utilize software that is not too technical while giving programmers the most freedom in asset management. Most people agree that it offers the best of both worlds.

A decoupled system without a specified mechanism for publishing is referred to as a headless CMS. The main Pros of a headless CMS is it can publish the same content to every sort of device. Including a website, mobile app, digital signage, VR headset, wearable device, or any other device linked to the internet of things (IoT), even though this may be more difficult for marketers.

It's more crucial than ever to have a digital evaluation system that can provide quick and multifaceted answers since the variety and nature of gadgets continue to grow exponentially.

Developing a headless CMS system is now a typical practice among CMS pioneers, including well-known CMS providers like Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla.

How does a CMS Head Operates?

Headless CMS operates more like a content repository using REST APIs or GraphQL APIs since it lacks a front-end delivery layer and a content writing interface. A platform that has had its "head," or front-end delivery layer, totally removed, leaving just the backend, is referred to as a headless CMS. The content inside the CMS is no longer bound to a specific template or delivery layer. Instead, APIs may freely transmit it to any channel or gadget.

These APIs –both REST and GraphQL –can link with front-end delivery systems to assist companies in publishing across a variety of channels. With this design, data may be obtained from a central content repository via API-based CMS and distributed to any web area.

While there are benefits to publishing across media, non-technical consumers may need help. A headless CMS platform implies that marketers and non-technical individuals are left to fend for themselves when delivering information. Still, a decoupled system does include a front-end delivery method. WYSIWYG editing, previews, and generally user-friendly interfaces are all absent.

What Has CMS Without a Head Changed?

The user experience for headless CMSes has unquestionably altered significantly in recent years. Let's examine patterns in more detail:

• Decoupled CMSes Are Still a Realistic Option

Decoupled CMS is still a viable choice. Sometimes, having material only available through APIs is not beneficial. Pure headless CMS options can leave marketers feeling disoriented. A lot of development effort is required to create and manage many environments with headless content for staging, previewing, and publishing content.

Decoupled CMS solutions still produce views, like webpages, but they expose the content through APIs or endpoints, enabling headless content management.

• We Are Completely Aware of COVID-19 and the Previous Two Years' Effects.

The remote workforce has given headless CMS a more significant role. Systems have to change to better accommodate 100% remote work in 2020 and foster meaningful human contacts.

That pattern has persisted, and interactions will also keep evolving quickly. The methods by which audiences consume material have grown and multiplied. In fact, according to Forbes, the markets for smart home gadgets will more than treble between 2016 and 2025, reaching $174 billion.

• Coupled CMS Demonstrate Absence of Omnichannel Capabilities

Coupled (conventional) CMS is quickly losing its benefit since there has never been a more pressing requirement to access many channels easily. A remote workforce has grown commonplace, and providing material via several platforms is crucial.

• The Headless Economy is Growing

Headless architecture in the e-commerce sector and on e-commerce platforms is known as headless commerce. A headless commerce platform functions similarly to a headless CMS by leveraging APIs to transmit requests from the backend to the front-end.

• Hybrid Headless CMS Gaining Popularity

There is a link between standard CMS catering to marketers and headless CMS catering to developers. Hybrid headless CMSes provide all the advantages of a headless CMS and direct publishing, preview environments, and visual aids for non-technical users to modify the material. Most significantly, this implies that fewer technologies are required to publish material live and that developer participation is less necessary for content updates.

2023 Headless CMS Platforms: A Guide

To assist you quickly choosing the alternatives that will be most useful for you, we have put up a table of the top headless CMS providers for 2023, along with detailed features and prices.

The first option you will have to make is whether to employ a headless CMS platform. There are a number of advantages and some disadvantages to think about.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of headless CMS:

Pros of Headless CMS Platform

• Omnichannel Content Delivery

It delivers your content across all platforms and contexts on any device. One backend system can supply range to your website, your phone, a virtual reality (VR) experience, digital signage, a kiosk, or any other format your company needs, whether it be an iOS or Android device. It is an excellent tool for publishing across platforms.

• Faster Time-to-Market

Compared to a typical CMS, you and your engineers may make changes concurrently and innovate rapidly. It is crucial if you employ dynamic content blocks that need to be altered or scaled.

• No Need to Learn Specialized Development Languages

CMS-specific languages are not necessary for developers to learn. They can communicate in any language they find most natural and familiar.

• Greater Flexibility with Content

A headless CMS makes it simpler to be more versatile with content presentation. Developers may create unique user experiences and easily swap material in and out since no templates or themes are connected to the content.

Cons of Headless CMS Platform

• You Need IT Assistance

Headless CMSs necessitate more functional IT teams to maintain your content infrastructure and all of the front-ends you use to distribute content to various channels.

• Added Development Costs

 Implementing a headless CMS is often more costly.

• Difficult for Non-Technical Users

Headless CMS has a more significant entry barrier for content producers and marketers who need to be more professionals in coding, making it challenging for them to utilize.  

The Big List of Headless CMS Solutions

To assist you in rapidly narrowing down the alternatives you may be considering, we have put up a table of the top headless CMS for 2023, along with detailed features and costs. Please scroll down to the whole list of headless CMS for 2023 for additional details on each platform.

• Cockpit

The Cockpit is an accessible, open-source web-based graphical server interface used by everyone unfamiliar with or new to Linux and seasoned administrators who mostly use other tools but need a high-level view of many systems.

The Cockpit is easy to use, may be used as a graphical desktop interface for single users, makes Linux discoverable, is compatible with your current workflows, employs system-existing APIs, and supports a wide range of optional and third-party programmes.

It is also incredibly lightweight and utilized as an administrator login session in a web browser. On a variety of Linux distributions, including Debian, Fedora, and RHEL, users may install Cockpit. The programming language used was C.

Released under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1, is Cockpit.

• DotCMS

DotCMS is a Java-based hybrid content management system that offers the most adaptable API-first architecture. Both marketers and developers utilize it.

To develop interactive, memorable, and linked digital goods, dotCMS can produce and reuse content. Additionally, it offers customers the business content management benefits they need, such as the multilingual, secure workflow, scalable, flexible, and drag-and-drop editing experience.

DotCMS enables you to build up writing and publishing environments across geographical areas and is safe, scalable, and configurable.

• HashBrown

A headless CMS developed using Node.js, and MongoDB is called HashBrown.

HashBrown can manage many projects across various settings and distribute material over several servers. Additionally, you may create any structured content and submit it using any protocol and format.

• Umbraco Heartcore

A headless content management system (CMS) called Umbraco Heartcore has a robust backend and editing interface that enables working with the material to be enjoyable, organized, rational, and scalable.

It helps create excellent content and tastefully present it on whatever front end you develop, allowing consumers to worry less about the time-consuming administration requirements.  

Since Umbraco Heartcore has a managed API, all user content is immediately available over a RESTful API.

Written in C# and distributed under the MIT license is Umbraco Heartcore.

• Statistic

The open-source CMS Statamic, powered by Laravel=Git, is intended for creating stunning, simple-to-manage websites. There is no database included unless you require one.

It features a gorgeous control panel and is a front and back CMS until you need to go headless. It is full-stack until you need to go to Jamstack.

• CraftsCMS

CraftCMS is an open-source content creation tool with a user-friendly interface that strives to improve content managers' and developers' quality of life.

It contains a Matrix field that enables the user to generate repeated and long-form content, as well as entry type and custom fields that help the user define connections between entries.

Craft CMS has a variety of features, such as a user-friendly, open-source control panel, a self-hosted platform that gives you complete control over your data and infrastructure, an automatically generated GraphQL API, a solid framework for developing custom modules and plugins, and a built-in template system.

• PayloadCMS

Developers may use the robust TypeScript headless CMS Payloadcms for free. It was released under an MIIT license. React, TypeScript, Node.js, and MongoDB were used in its development.

• ApostropheCMS

You can use an open-source website builder called ApostropheCMS to develop unique solutions for businesses, digital agencies, SaaS providers, institutions of higher learning, enterprises, and more. This programme is robust, adaptable, and simple to use.

Drag and drop in context live editing is included, changes are made in real-time, and native modules and flexible content APIs are integrated. Several visual design tools are used to enable dynamic styling.

It is developed using MIT-licensed software, including Node.js, Express, MongoDB, and Vue.js.

• Website

An open-source serverless corporate CMS called Webinar might assist you in keeping your data within the confines of your infrastructure. TypeScript is use in writing.

Webinar manages your material, enabling you to create and launch websites and forms, manages every project centrally, and utilizes cutting-edge procedures to enhance cross-organizational cooperation.

It operates on highly-scalable fault-tolerant serverless services and maintains your data in your cloud. The marketing department uses it to handle content, landing pages, files, and forms. It also supports many sites.

The website has built-in features like site dependability, content control, and access control that help to minimize risk and assure quality and control. You may also use these features to personalize the platform entirely.

• Builder.io

Builder.io is a free drag-and-drop page builder that can be integrated with any website or application. React, Vue, and Angular applications may utilize this CMS.

The builder uses an API-driven UI that lets you plan, a/b test, and customize through APIs, minimize code, and improve composability. It also enables you to isolate page changes from releases.

It was created using TypeScript and distributed under the terms of the MIT license.

• Superdesk

A new digital newsroom system is called Superdesk. It has robust workflow capabilities making it a complete platform for news generation, production, curation, and delivery.

The system manages the production process from conception to dissemination across all channels, saving time and effort with adaptable content templates. Your editorial users design and oversee Superdesk operations.

• Google Drive CMS

Google Drive CMS combines Google Docs and Sheets to manage the information on a website. The spreadsheet's content used to be published to your site's API. To handle the data supplied from the spreadsheet, Google Drive CMS requires a duplicate copy of the Google Drive CMS template and an API endpoint.

• ContentaCMS

A content API and CMS built on Drupal 8 is called ContentaCMS. It offers a standard, JSON API-based platform for creating websites and apps that are not linked to one another. The present features offered by ContentaCMS include modifications to the default endpoints.

• Strapi

It is a self-hosted app, supports several databases, including SQLite, MySQL, Postgres, GraphQL, or RESTful, is 100% JavaScript, has automatically produced documentation, and is safe. Strapi is a premium open-source comfort headless CMS for developers.

Strapi offers an API editor that end users may use as a media library to submit photographs, videos, and other files. It is a versatile content management system that has an intuitive user interface. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), a customizable API, and an SSO authentication mechanism are all included with Strapi.

• Genetics Mesh

Genetics Mesh is a java-based, open-source, headless CMS for comfort licensed under the Apache License, version 2.0. It is designed to hasten development and deployment.

Versioning, multi-language, roles, and permissions are all supported. Additionally, it has built-in clustering support, automated navigation menus, unbreakable connections, and the ability to develop unique, reusable content components for dynamic, rich layouts.

• CMS Unite

Built on top of Symfony and GraphQL, Unite CMS is an open-source platform that provides a highly versatile headless CMS.

With Unite CMS, you can link and manage the data for your digital projects in a single backend. You may show your content on any device and in any task, thanks to its headless design and powerful GraphQL API.

It was created using PHP and distributed with the MIT license.

• Enonic XP

A headless CMS designed for a digital team is Enonic XP. Its open platform, software development kit, and user-friendly architecture let developers get to work immediately. It is searchable, has a highly typed GraphQL API that allows you to access your data from any device or client, is accessible as a managed platform, assists users in setting up their first project, and offers a variety of template options.

Enonic XP was created using the Java programming language and is distributed under the GPL-3.0 and Apache-2.0 licenses.

• ACM

ACM is an open-source static site and API generator with a fantastic user back-office. It doesn't need as many resources as CMS management does. To utilize it, all you need is a front developer.

JavaScript was used to create AbeCMS, protected under the MIT license.

• Tina

Tina is a fantastic free and open-source headless CMS that allows you to integrate content management directly into your website and add visual editing to NextJS sites.

The TypeScript code for Tina was released under the Apache-2.0 license.

• Directus.io

An open-source software package called Directus offers a quick API wrapper for SQL databases as well as a user-friendly admin tool for non-technical people to manage the information.

One of the most significant recent data stacks is Directus, which is available under the GNU General Public License v3.0. It maintains pure SQL, supports PostgreSQL, My SQL, SQLite, OracleDB, CockroachDB, MariaDB, and MS-SQL, is entirely expandable, runs locally, and has a contemporary dashboard. It is free.

• Keystone

With the help of the open-source programmable backend Keystone, you can quickly build a highly customizable CMS and API.

Keystone is a platform for the advancement of next-generation development processes. It provides a wide range of capabilities, such as automatic CRUD, a comprehensive GraphQL API, next-generation WYSIWYG, session management, 100% typescript, configurable roles and access, flexible relationships, powerful filtering, database migrations, a large variety of field types, event hooks, and simple CLI.

It allows you to create your schema, edit your content narrative, query your data, and deploy anywhere.

• Sonic

sonic is a headless content management system (CMS) that supports several database backends, including MongoDB, MySQL, MS.SQL Server, DashDB, DB2, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Redis, flat files, and in-memory databases. It also leverages NodeJS and the Express Framework.

Sonic has a powerful user management system with comprehensive permission support, a wealthy page builder, dynamic content generation, form builders, custom content field kinds, and a rich dashboard. This CMS is very modular and has shown to be reliable in many projects, particularly those involving mobile applications and Internet of Things projects.

• BoltCMS

An open-source CMS with several headless features is called BoltCMS. It is built on Symphony 5, a well-like PHP framework with a sizable user base. With RESTful and GraphQL API, it provides a whole headless experience. As a comprehensive dashboard for the developed API that functions without setup, BoltCMS comes with an integrated internationalization experience for the created content.

End-note

Developers have a wide selection of open-source content management systems (CMS). The majority includes much functionality and can be used immediately for any project or adjusted as needed to handle unique situations.

Open-source tools are replacing proprietary software as the industry standard. They are no longer secondary tools that are only utilized when money is tight and it is impossible to buy expensive ones.