Compare / Strapi
Nextly vs Strapi.
Strapi is the most popular open-source headless CMS with a massive ecosystem and marketplace. Nextly is built specifically for Next.js with both code-first and visual approaches.
At a Glance
Quick comparison
| Aspect | Nextly | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT (Community) / EE license |
| Approach | Code-first + Visual | Visual (Content-Type Builder) |
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript / TypeScript |
| Database | Postgres, MySQL, SQLite | Postgres, MySQL, SQLite |
| Deployment | Single codebase with Next.js | Separate backend + any frontend |
| Pricing | Free forever | Free self-hosted, Cloud from $15/mo |
| Framework | Next.js native | Framework-agnostic |
| Community | Alpha | Massive (73,000+ GitHub stars) |
Where Strapi Excels
Massive ecosystem and marketplace
Strapi has a large plugin marketplace, extensive community resources, thousands of tutorials, and a mature ecosystem built over many years.
Framework agnostic
Works with React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, or any frontend. Nextly is built specifically for Next.js.
Cloud hosting
Strapi Cloud offers managed hosting with a free tier and paid plans from $15/mo. Nextly's cloud offering is in the Next lane.
GraphQL support
Built-in GraphQL API alongside REST out of the box. Nextly offers REST and the Direct API; GraphQL is in the Now lane.
Enterprise SSO and support plans
Single sign-on (SAML/OIDC), enterprise support agreements, and compliance tooling. Nextly ships webhooks and an audit log, but has no SSO.
Where Nextly Differs
Built for Next.js, lives in your app
Installs inside your Next.js app at /admin as a single codebase. Strapi is a separate backend service you deploy independently.
Dual approach: code-first + visual
Code-first schema definitions in TypeScript plus the Schema Builder. Strapi is visual only, no defineCollection() equivalent.
TypeScript native from day one
Built with TypeScript from the ground up with full type safety. Strapi was originally JavaScript and added TypeScript support later.
Direct API (zero overhead)
Server-side data access in Next.js Server Components with zero HTTP overhead. Strapi requires REST or GraphQL API calls.
Features
Feature by feature
| Feature | Nextly | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Offering | Planned | Yes |
| Code-First Config | Yes | No |
| Visual Config | Yes | Yes |
| TypeScript Native | Yes | Partial |
| Next.js Integration | Yes | Partial |
| REST API | Yes | Yes |
| GraphQL | Planned | Yes |
| Rich Text Editor | Yes | Yes |
| Media Library | Yes | Yes |
| Access Control / RBAC | Yes | Yes |
| Hooks / Lifecycle | Yes | Yes |
| i18n / Localization | Yes | Yes |
| Content Versioning | Yes | Yes |
| Preview | Partial | Partial |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| Plugins / Marketplace | Partial | Yes |
| Database Support | Yes | Yes |
| Community Size | Partial | Yes |
Decision Guide
Which one is right for you?
Choose Strapi if you need:
- •A framework-agnostic backend (not using Next.js)
- •A massive ecosystem with marketplace plugins
- •Managed cloud hosting
- •GraphQL API support
- •Enterprise SSO (SAML/OIDC)
Choose Nextly if you need:
- •Next.js as your frontend framework
- •Both code-first and visual content management
- •Single-codebase deployment (no separate backend)
- •Zero-overhead Direct API in Server Components
- •End-to-end TypeScript type safety from day one
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between Nextly and Strapi?
Both offer visual content modeling, but they differ in architecture. Strapi runs as a separate backend service you connect to via API. Nextly runs inside your Next.js app as a single codebase, with the admin panel at /admin and API routes in your app folder.
Is Nextly better than Strapi for Next.js projects?
For Next.js specifically, Nextly has an advantage: it lives inside your Next.js app with one codebase and one deployment. Strapi requires a separate server, separate deployment, and API calls between services. Nextly lets you query content directly in server components.
Does Nextly support code-first schemas like Strapi?
Both support code-based schema definitions, but Nextly is TypeScript-native from day one with full type safety. Strapi started in JavaScript and added TypeScript later. Nextly also adds a visual Schema Builder that Strapi's Content-Type Builder inspired.
Can I self-host Nextly like Strapi?
Yes. Both are self-hosted, open source, and MIT licensed. You deploy them on your own infrastructure with no vendor lock-in. Neither charges for self-hosted usage.
Which has better TypeScript support, Nextly or Strapi?
Nextly is built in TypeScript from day one. Collection definitions, API responses, hooks, and access control rules are all fully typed. Strapi was originally JavaScript and added TypeScript support later, so some areas have incomplete type coverage.
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