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.
Not the right match-up?
Directus
Instant REST and GraphQL API for any SQL database
VS
PocketBase
Open-source backend in a single file
| Feature | Directus | PocketBase |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 37,238 | ★ 60,550 |
| First released | 2015 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Contentful, Firebase | Firebase |
Why pick each one
Choose Directus if…
- Released under the BSL-1.1 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 37.2k GitHub stars
Choose PocketBase if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 60.5k GitHub stars
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.