# Looking for a Directus alternative?

## AI agents & MCP: BCMS vs Directus

BCMS is built for the agentic era. Connect Cursor, Claude Code, or any MCP client to manage entries, media, and schemas in plain English - with scoped keys and open-source[bcms agent skills](https://thebcms.com/agents.md). Directus has strong MCP and Studio AI Assistant messaging. BCMS matches MCP while focusing on marketing-grade content modeling, widgets, and open bcms agent skills.

See the full setup guide - MCP config, install commands, and copy-paste prompts - on the[BCMS agents page](https://thebcms.com/agents.md).

### Summary: 7 Things BCMS can do better than Directus

BCMS delivers powerful features like visual modeling, global search, serverless functions, automatic TypeScript types, starter kits, widget embedding, and nested folders, all out of the box. Directus is extensible and strong for enterprises that need SQL-first control and federation, but many of these features require extra setup or aren’t available by default.

## It's time...

## What you should know about Directus

Quick answers to the most common questions about Directus, explained simply.

### What is Directus?

Directus is an open-source headless CMS that connects directly to your database and instantly provides both a REST and GraphQL API for managing content.

### Is Directus database?

Directus is an open-source data platform that layers on top of any SQL database. Directus doesn’t store your data separately; instead, it connects to your database in real-time, provides a visual interface, and automatically generates REST and GraphQL APIs for your content.

### Is Directus free?

Yes. You can self-host Directus for free under its open license if your organization makes under $5 million USD annually. The self-hosted version includes all features, with no limitations on users or functionality.

### What are the Directus cloud pricing plans?

Directus Cloud offers three main pricing tiers, designed for different team sizes and project needs:

- Starter:1 Studio user, up to 5,000 database entries, and 50,000 API requests per month.

- Professional:Includes 5 Studio users, up to 75,000 database entries, and 250,000 API requests per month.

- Enterprise:Custom pricingoffers custom user limits, dedicated infrastructure, higher API capacity, regional hosting, and priority support with SLAs.

### Directus pros and cons?

Pros:

- 100% open-source and self-hostable

- REST and GraphQL APIs out of the box

- Extremely flexible and database-agnostic (for relational databases)

Cons:

- Works only with relational databases

- Some complex queries may require GraphQL or SEARCH method

- Advanced filters can exceed URL length limits