Flashboard vs Directus

Flashboard and Directus are both content management systems, but they take fundamentally different architectural approaches. Flashboard is a database-first CMS — your PostgreSQL database is your CMS, and you query it directly. Directus is an API-first headless CMS that generates REST and GraphQL APIs from your database. This page documents the differences and trade-offs to help you choose.

Quick comparison

What Flashboard does well

Database-first simplicity. Flashboard connects to your PostgreSQL database and generates a CMS interface automatically. There's no API layer between your database and your application — you query your database directly with SQL or your ORM. Your database is your single source of truth.

Instant setup. Connect your PostgreSQL database and get a working CMS in under 2 minutes. No configuration files, no deployment steps. Flashboard reads your schema and generates the interface automatically.

Content and data in one place. Unlike traditional headless CMSs that store content separately, Flashboard manages content directly in your existing database tables. Your blog posts, product descriptions, and application data live together.

Notion-like rich text editor. Write and edit content with a familiar block-based editor. The content is stored as clean HTML in your database columns, ready to render in your application without transformation.

Unlimited seats on higher tiers. Flashboard's Team and Pro plans include unlimited seats. Directus Cloud charges per Studio User, which adds up as your team grows.

No technical knowledge required. Connect your database and start managing content. Non-technical team members can work confidently without training.

End-to-end credential encryption. Your database credentials are encrypted with a key only you own. Even Flashboard's team cannot access them.

What Directus does well

API generation. Directus automatically generates REST and GraphQL APIs from your database. If you need to serve content to multiple frontends — a web app, mobile app, and marketing site — Directus provides a unified API layer for all of them.

Self-hosting option. Directus can be self-hosted for free if your company has less than $5 million in total annual finances. For organizations that cannot use cloud services or need data residency control, this is a significant advantage.

Multiple database support. Directus works with PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, MS SQL Server, and more. If you work with multiple database types, Directus handles them from one interface.

Full digital asset management. Directus includes a complete DAM system with on-the-fly image transformations, automatic metadata extraction, tagging, and organization. Flashboard offers basic uploads to your storage service, but Directus's DAM is more comprehensive.

Automation workflows. Build multi-step processes with triggers, conditions, and actions. Schedule content publishing, send notifications, or integrate with external services — all without code.

AI-powered content tools. Directus includes AI features for draft generation, SEO recommendations, and image creation directly in the content editing experience.

Extensibility. Build custom interfaces, hooks, and endpoints with Directus's extension framework. If you need functionality beyond the core product, you can build it.

When to choose Flashboard

• You have an existing PostgreSQL database and want a CMS now
• You query your database directly and don't need an API layer
• You want content and application data in the same database
• You want the fastest possible setup with minimal configuration
• Non-technical team members need to manage content
• You want predictable per-team pricing with unlimited seats

When to choose Directus

• You need REST/GraphQL APIs to serve content to multiple frontends
• You need self-hosting (data cannot leave your infrastructure)
• You work with multiple database types
• You need advanced digital asset management with transformations
• You need automation workflows for content operations
• You have developers to configure and maintain the platform

Frequently asked questions

Are Flashboard and Directus the same type of tool?

Both are content management systems, but they take different approaches. Flashboard is database-first: your PostgreSQL database is your CMS, and you query it directly. Directus is API-first: it generates REST and GraphQL APIs that sit between your database and your applications. The right choice depends on how you want to access your content.

Is Directus worth it for an early-stage startup?

It depends on your architecture. If you're building multiple frontends (web, mobile, marketing site) that all need the same content via API, Directus makes sense. If you have a single application that queries your database directly, Flashboard's simpler approach may be faster to set up and easier to maintain.

What are the best Directus alternatives?

For teams that only need PostgreSQL support and prefer querying their database directly, Flashboard is a simpler alternative. Other headless CMS options include Strapi (open source, self-hosted), Sanity (real-time collaboration), and Contentful (enterprise-focused). Each has different trade-offs around pricing, hosting, and features.

Can I migrate from Directus to Flashboard?

If your content is in a PostgreSQL database that Directus connects to, you can connect Flashboard to the same database. The migration complexity depends on whether your applications query Directus's API or the database directly. If they use the API, you'd need to update them to query the database instead.

Can I migrate from Flashboard to Directus?

Yes. Since Flashboard doesn't modify your database schema, you can connect Directus to the same database at any time. If your needs grow to require API generation, multi-database support, or self-hosting, transitioning to Directus is possible.

Are both Flashboard and Directus headless CMSs?

Yes. "Headless" simply means separating content management from content presentation — there's no built-in frontend. Both Flashboard and Directus are headless by this definition. The difference is how you access your content: Flashboard lets you query your database directly, while Directus generates REST/GraphQL APIs. Direct database queries are simpler if you have one application. APIs are useful if you're serving content to multiple frontends or third parties.

Still not sure?

If you have a PostgreSQL database and prefer querying it directly without an API layer, try Flashboard for free. If you need REST/GraphQL APIs, self-hosting, or multi-database support, explore Directus. Both offer free tiers, so you can evaluate each without commitment.