Directus vs PocketBase
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted self-hosting platforms (paas) options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Directus
Instant REST and GraphQL API for any SQL database
VS
PocketBase
Open-source backend in a single file
| Feature | Directus | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 99 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) |
| License | BSL-1.1 | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, binary | binary, docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 37,957 | ★ 61,141 |
| First released | 2015 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Contentful, Firebase | Firebase |
What are Directus and PocketBase?
Directus
Directus wraps any existing SQL database with a dynamic API and an intuitive admin app for managing content. It serves as a headless CMS and data platform for developers and non-technical users alike.
- Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs
- No-code data admin
- Works with existing databases
- Granular permissions
PocketBase
PocketBase is an open-source backend that bundles an embedded SQLite database, realtime subscriptions, authentication and a file storage API into one portable executable. It is self-hosted as a single binary.
- Single executable backend
- Embedded SQLite
- Realtime subscriptions
- Built-in admin UI
Directus vs PocketBase: key differences
Directus is written in TypeScript, while PocketBase is built with Go. Licensing differs — BSL-1.1 for Directus versus MIT for PocketBase. PocketBase is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Directus. Directus is the more established project (first released 2015), while PocketBase arrived in 2022.
Why pick each one
Choose Directus if…
- Works with existing databases
- REST and GraphQL APIs
- Friendly admin app
Watch out for
- License limits large orgs
- Fairly heavy Node stack
Choose PocketBase if…
- Single portable binary
- Realtime subscriptions built in
- Admin UI included
Watch out for
- SQLite limits scale
- No horizontal scaling
- Still pre-1.0
Frequently asked questions
Is Directus or PocketBase better?
PocketBase is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Directus if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Directus and PocketBase free and open-source?
Yes. Directus is licensed under BSL-1.1 and PocketBase under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Directus and PocketBase with Docker?
Directus: yes. PocketBase: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Directus or PocketBase?
PocketBase has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Directus. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.