Features
- Visual content type builder
- Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs
- Role-based access control
- Plugin system for extending functionality
Pros
- Self-hosted and open-source — full data ownership
- No-code content type builder for non-developers
- Large plugin ecosystem and community
Cons
- Self-hosting requires server management
- Performance can degrade with complex content models
- Customization beyond plugins requires deep knowledge
Overview
Strapi is the leading open-source headless CMS, providing a visual admin panel for content management with auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs. It can be self-hosted on any Node.js server, giving you full control over your data and infrastructure.
Strapi’s content type builder lets non-technical users create and modify content structures visually. The admin panel provides a polished editing experience with media library, internationalization, and role-based access control. Plugins extend functionality with SEO tools, email, documentation generators, and more.
When to Use
Strapi is the right choice when you need a self-hosted CMS with a visual admin panel, when content editors need a no-code interface, or when data sovereignty requires hosting on your own infrastructure. For code-first CMS with TypeScript, consider Payload CMS.
Getting Started
npx create-strapi-app my-project --quickstart
# Admin panel at http://localhost:1337/admin// Fetch from Strapi API
const response = await fetch("http://localhost:1337/api/articles");
const { data } = await response.json();