# Directus, release history and use on real websites.

A headless CMS and data platform on top of an existing SQL database. It automatically creates REST and GraphQL APIs and an admin app for any tables.

- **Status:** Modern. Actively developed; free for companies under USD 5 million revenue.
- **Category:** [CMS and site builders](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms)
- **License:** BSL 1.1
- **Latest version:** 12.6.1 (4 Nov 2026)
- **Official website:** https://directus.io
- **Documentation:** https://docs.directus.io
- **GitHub:** https://github.com/directus/directus
- **Page:** https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/directus

## Directus on audited websites

10 of the 16,845 websites audited by be1st run Directus (<1%). That ranks it #20 of the 21 technologies in CMS and site builders we have seen in audits.

### Most used in CMS and site builders

1. [WordPress](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/wordpress): 8.4% (1,417)
2. [Lovable](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/lovable): 1.8% (310)
3. [Framer](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/framer): 1.6% (266)
4. [Webflow](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/webflow): 1.5% (260)
5. [Wix](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/wix): 1.4% (232)
6. [Sanity](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/sanity): 1.2% (197)
7. [Joomla](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/joomla): 1.2% (196)
8. [Squarespace](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/squarespace): 1.2% (196)
9. [Webnode](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/webnode): 1.0% (171)
10. [Drupal](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/drupal): 1.0% (170)

## Directus versions and release history

4 release lines since 2021, as listed by the npm registry. The latest version is 12.6.1, released 4 Nov 2026.

| Version | Released | Latest release | Releases |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 12 | 10 Jun 2026 | 12.6.1 (4 Nov 2026) | 14 |
| 11 | 6 Aug 2024 | 11.17.4 (30 Apr 2026) | 53 |
| 10 | 26 Apr 2023 | 10.13.4 (2 Dec 2024) | 47 |
| 9 | 5 Nov 2021 | 9.26.0 (24 Apr 2023) | 67 |

Sources: [npm registry, package directus](https://www.npmjs.com/package/directus), checked 8 Nov 2026.

## Other technologies in CMS and site builders

- [TYPO3](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/typo3): <1% of websites
- [Contao](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/contao): <1% of websites
- [Storyblok](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/storyblok): <1% of websites
- [Contentful](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/contentful): <1% of websites
- [Base44](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/base44): <1% of websites
- [HubSpot CMS](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/hubspot-cms): <1% of websites
- [Ghost](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/ghost): <1% of websites
- [Blogger](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/blogger): <1% of websites
- [Payload CMS](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/payload-cms): <1% of websites
- [Bolt](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/bolt): <1% of websites
- [Replit](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/replit): not seen yet
- [Strapi](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms/strapi)

[All 24 in CMS and site builders](https://be1st.ai/technologies/cms)

## Questions about Directus

### What is Directus?

A headless CMS and data platform on top of an existing SQL database. It automatically creates REST and GraphQL APIs and an admin app for any tables. The be1st catalog lists Directus under CMS and site builders. License of Directus: BSL 1.1.

### What is the latest version of Directus?

The latest version of Directus is 12.6.1, released 4 Nov 2026 (source: npm registry, package directus).

### How many websites use Directus?

10 of the 16,845 websites audited by be1st run Directus (<1%), as of 8 Nov 2026.

### Is Directus still a modern choice?

Yes. Directus counts as a modern technology. Actively developed; free for companies under USD 5 million revenue.

### What are the alternatives to Directus?

Technologies that do the same job as Directus include Sanity, Payload CMS, and Strapi.

Numbers: latest audit of each of 16,845 websites audited by be1st, as of 8 Nov 2026.