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Websites & Online Business

Best Headless CMS in 2026

For teams delivering content through websites or apps, a headless CMS separates content management from presentation. Compare API types, asset transformations, content localization, and content preview to see which listed capabilities match your publishing needs.

  1. 01 CrafterCMS

    CrafterCMS may suit teams seeking a CMS with localization, permissions, preview, and REST or GraphQL APIs.

    Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    9.4 Visit Specs
  2. 02 Strapi

    Strapi suits developers and teams that want a customizable CMS with REST or GraphQL APIs and a choice between self-hosting and Strapi Cloud.

    From $35/mo Free plan Self-hosted
    9.1 Visit Specs
  3. 03 Prismic

    The free plan is suited to developers building personal websites or a proof of concept.

    From $10/mo Free plan Web · API
    9.1 Visit Specs
  4. 04 Enonic XP
    From $990/mo Free plan Open source Web · Windows · Linux · API
    9.1 Visit Specs
  5. 05 Sanity

    Sanity suits teams building web or mobile products and content applications, as well as customer-facing or internal agents.

    From $15/mo Free plan Web
    9.0 Visit Specs
  6. 06 ButterCMS

    It suits teams managing API-delivered content for websites, apps, ecommerce, OTT, or digital displays.

    From $71/mo Free plan Web · iOS · Android
    9.0 Visit Specs
  7. 07 Cloud CMS

    Cloud CMS serves creative agencies, consultancies, small businesses, and enterprise accounts.

    From $220/mo Free plan Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.9 Visit Specs
  8. 08 Contentstack
    From $29/mo Free plan Web · iOS · Android · API
    8.8 Visit Specs
  9. 09 Storyblok

    Storyblok suits teams building localized web content with a visual editing workflow and framework or API integrations.

    From $7.56/mo Free plan Web
    8.7 Visit Specs
  10. 10 Webiny

    Community is positioned for personal or hobby projects, Business for commercial projects and small teams, and Enterprise for large organizations.

    From $79/mo Free plan Web · API · Self-hosted
    8.6 Visit Specs
  11. 11 Payload CMS

    Payload CMS suits developers building websites, applications, headless CMS projects, or internal tools who can manage a Node.js deployment and supported database.

    Free plan Web · API · Self-hosted
    8.5 Visit Specs
  12. 12 dotCMS
    Free plan Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted
    8.5 Visit Specs
  13. 13 DatoCMS

    DatoCMS is aimed at developers, digital marketers, content creators, and enterprise teams managing structured, multilingual content.

    From €149/mo Free plan Web · API
    8.5 Visit Specs
  14. 14 Umbraco Heartcore
    From €60/mo Free trial Web · iOS · Android · API
    8.5 Visit Specs
  15. 15 Amplience
    Free trial Web · iOS · Android · API
    8.4 Visit Specs
  16. 16 Gentics Mesh

    It suits developers building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices or digital signage with an API-first CMS.

    Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux
    8.3 Visit Specs
  17. 17 CoreMedia CMS
    Free trial Web · iOS · Android · API
    8.2 Visit Specs
  18. 18 Contento
    From $40/mo Free plan Web · API
    8.2 Visit Specs
  19. 19 Agility CMS
    From $699/mo Free plan Web · API
    8.2 Visit Specs
  20. 20 Kontent.ai
    Free trial Web · API
    8.1 Visit Specs
  21. 21 TinaCMS

    TinaCMS suits developers and content creators who want Git-based editing and visual previews.

    From $24/mo Free plan Web · API · Self-hosted
    8.0 Visit Specs
  22. 22 Builder.io

    Code is aimed at product, design, and development teams; Content is for marketing and content teams.

    From $24/mo Free plan Web · API · Browser extension
    8.0 Visit Specs
  23. 23 Solodev CMS
    From $245/mo Free trial Web · API · Self-hosted
    7.9 Visit Specs
  24. 24 Directus

    Directus suits teams managing localized content through web APIs and needing custom permissions, previews, webhooks, or transformed assets.

    From $499/mo Free plan Web
    7.8 Visit Specs
  25. 25 Contentful

    It suits teams managing localized web content, permissions, previews, assets, and API-based workflows.

    From $300/mo Free plan Web
    7.8 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank). Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).

Role permissions and webhooks add details to consider for access and integrations. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing as well. Prismic, ButterCMS, and Sanity are among the options shown, with Storyblok and Cloud CMS also included. The features provide a practical basis for comparing how each system handles content workflows and delivery; weigh them against the requirements of your team and the way you manage content.

Compare CrafterCMS and Strapi Get a place on this list

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