Best Open Source Headless CMS in 2026
API-first CMS platforms that deliver content as data, letting developers build frontends with any technology.
The most popular pick this year is Strapi with 72,144 GitHub stars, but all 4 options below are worth considering depending on your needs.
4 open source headless cms β ranked by GitHub stars. Browse all
Strapi
π Strapi is the leading open-source headless CMS. Itβs 100% JavaScript/TypeScript, fully customizable, and developer-first.
WordPress
Directus
The flexible backend for all your projects π° Turn your DB into a headless CMS, admin panels, or apps with a custom UI, instant APIs, auth & more.
WordPress
TinaCMS
A fully open-source headless CMS with Git support, Markdown editing, and live visual preview for React-based sites.
Contentful
WollyCMS
Self-hosted, open-source headless CMS built specifically for Astro.js with a block-based page builder.
ContentfulHow we rank these tools
Tools are ranked by GitHub stars as a proxy for community adoption and trust. Stars reflect how many developers found a project valuable enough to bookmark β a reasonable signal for quality in the open source world. We only list tools that are actively maintained and open source.
Looking for tools you can run yourself? Browse self-hosted headless cms β