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Gentics Mesh

gentics.com

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Spec score 8.3 #16 of 34 in Headless CMS

What it is

Gentics Mesh is a free, open-source headless CMS that manages content through HTTP APIs. It provides REST and GraphQL interfaces, with GraphQL currently limited to read-only operations. Content can be arranged in hierarchical trees that generate navigation menus, breadcrumbs and URLs. The REST API supports multilingual content, custom user and permission management, previews, search with Elasticsearch and image resizing or cropping for PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP files. GraphQL filtering can work independently of Elasticsearch. Authentication options include login, API tokens, OAuth2 and anonymous access; passwords use bcrypt hashes. Deployment documentation covers Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd. MariaDB is the default database, while premium connectors support Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+. The open-source edition costs nothing under Apache 2.0. Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a Gentics license.

Spec sheet

Product
Gentics Mesh is a headless or API-first CMS that provides HTTP APIs for accessing and managing content.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Intended users
The maker describes Gentics Mesh as an open-source headless CMS for developers and positions it for building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices and digital signage.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deployment
The documentation describes Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd deployment options.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Integrations
The product supports OAuth2/OIDC authentication, and a premium Keycloak plugin adds Keycloak or Red Hat SSO integration support.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Security
User passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes, and the REST and GraphQL APIs use Gentics Mesh authentication.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Support
Customers with a Professional Service contract can access a dedicated support system and report issues by phone; community users can use Gitter, Stack Overflow and GitHub.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Headquarters
Vienna, Austria and Bern, SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · gentics.com
API types
bothRead 20 Sep 2026 · gentics.com
APIs
The product provides REST and GraphQL APIs; the GraphQL API currently supports read-only operations.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Asset transformations
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · gentics.com
Authentication options
Authentication options include login, API tokens, OAuth2 and anonymous access.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Content features
Content can be organized in hierarchical trees that support automatically generated navigation menus, breadcrumbs and URLs.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Content localization
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · gentics.com
Content preview
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · gentics.com
Database support
MariaDB is the default relational database; premium database connectors support Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Languages and permissions
The REST API supports multilingual content, and the product provides user and permission management.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Maintenance
Long-term support releases are available to Product Maintenance subscribers and contain bug fixes and security updates without new features.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Media
The product supports file uploads and image resizing or cropping for PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP images.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com
Role permissions
customRead 20 Sep 2026 · gentics.com
Search
Gentics Mesh provides content search with Elasticsearch; GraphQL filtering can also be used independently of Elasticsearch.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com

Plans and prices

Open-source edition Free Apache 2.0 licensed; available as open-source software Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Premium features Priced on request Each feature is licensed independently; a 12 month subscription includes updates and product maintenance for 12 months. Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a valid Gentics license Read 11 Oct 2026 · gentics.com

Every Gentics Mesh plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • REST and GraphQL APIs
  • Multilingual content support
  • Hierarchical content trees
  • Image resize and crop tools
  • Docker and systemd deployment options

Limits

  • GraphQL operations are read-only
  • Commercial plugins require a license
  • MariaDB is default database

Who it suits

It suits developers building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices or digital signage with an API-first CMS. Teams needing premium connectors or commercial plugins should account for separate licensing.

Verdict

Gentics Mesh offers broad content, API, localization and deployment capabilities in an open-source edition. Advanced database connectors and commercial extensions sit outside the free core and require licensing.

Where Specifiction places it

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