Sanity vs Strapi
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right headless cms solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Strapi has a feature edge based on documented capabilities, but the best choice depends on your constraints. Sanity is best for complex content models, while Strapi excels at budget-conscious teams. See methodology for how we compare tools.
Sanity
Composable content cloud
Best for
Strapi
Feature edgeOpen source headless CMS
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Sanity | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time collaboration | Yes | No |
| Custom schemas | Yes | No |
| GROQ query language | Yes | No |
| Image transformations | Yes | No |
| Portable text | Yes | No |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted option | No | No |
| Self-hosted | No | Yes |
| REST & GraphQL | No | Yes |
| Custom plugins | No | Yes |
| Role-based access | No | Yes |
| Media library | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Sanity
Strapi
Sanity Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Extremely flexible schemas
- +Real-time collaboration
- +Great developer experience
- +Powerful GROQ queries
Cons
- -Can be complex for simple sites
- -Pricing gets expensive
- -Learning curve for editors
Strapi Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Fully open source
- +Self-hosted option
- +Highly customizable
- +Active community
Cons
- -Requires hosting setup
- -Performance at scale
- -Plugin quality varies
Sanity Verdict
Sanity is the most flexible headless CMS. Best for teams with complex content needs and developer resources.
Strapi Verdict
Strapi is the best free option and perfect for teams wanting full control. Self-hosting adds complexity but saves cost.
More options in Headless CMS
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sanity vs Strapi
Is Sanity or Strapi better?
It depends on your use case. Sanity is best for complex content models and developer teams. Strapi is best for budget-conscious teams and self-hosting requirements. Sanity is the most flexible headless CMS. Best for teams with complex content needs and developer resources.
Is Sanity free?
Yes, Sanity offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $99/mo.
Is Strapi free?
Yes, Strapi offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $0.
Can I migrate from Sanity to Strapi?
Yes, you can migrate from Sanity to Strapi, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Sanity or Strapi?
Both Sanity and Strapi are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.