> Source: https://meetrix.io/store/directus/
> Markdown copy of that page. Cite the URL above, not this file.

[Store](https://meetrix.io/store/)  Directus

Open-source headless CMS

# Self-hosted Directus headless CMS on AWS and Google Cloud

Run Directus from a pre-configured image in your own cloud account. It wraps a SQL database with instant REST and GraphQL APIs and a no-code admin app, so your content and data never sit in a third-party SaaS.

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-hk3oiq5rq2ucw)[ Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/directus-headless-cms)

-   Ready in 5-10 minutes
-   Automatic SSL
-   Runs in your own account

![Directus headless CMS deployed on AWS by Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/assets/store/directus/directus.webp)

## What is Directus?

Directus is an open-source data platform that puts a REST and GraphQL API, plus an admin app, around a SQL database. Teams use it as a headless CMS and as the backend for websites, mobile apps and internal tools, without writing API endpoints by hand.

-   ### REST and GraphQL

    Both APIs are generated automatically from your collections.

-   ### No-code admin app

    Editors manage content and files without touching the database.

-   ### Field-level permissions

    Role-based access down to which fields each role can see or edit.

-   ### Flexible data modelling

    Design collections and relations in the app, stored as plain SQL tables.

-   ### Extensible

    Add hooks, endpoints and custom modules with the Directus extensions SDK.

-   ### Your own database

    Content lives in a standard relational database inside your cloud account.

## What's in the Meetrix Directus image

Self-hosting Directus usually means wiring up a database, a reverse proxy and SSL before you can model your first collection. The marketplace image arrives with those in place.

-   Directus with a database already configured and connected
-   NGINX with a Let's Encrypt certificate for your domain
-   Automatic SSL on AWS when the domain is hosted on Route 53
-   A certificate script for issuing SSL manually if needed
-   A deployment template for your own AWS account or GCP project
-   Support from Meetrix engineers

## How to set up a self-hosted Directus server

1.  ### Launch the server

    Subscribe on AWS Marketplace or Google Cloud Marketplace, enter your domain and admin email, and deploy. The stack is ready in about 5-10 minutes.

2.  ### Point your domain at it

    Create a DNS A record for your Directus domain with the server's public IP, so the certificate can be issued.

3.  ### Create or sign in as admin

    On AWS, open the DashboardUrl and create the administrator account. On Google Cloud, sign in with the admin email and password you set at deployment.

4.  ### Model your data

    Create collections and roles in the admin app, then call the generated REST or GraphQL API from your front end.

## Choose your cloud

### Directus on AWS

An AMI on AWS Marketplace, launched into your own AWS account with a CloudFormation stack.

Deploys with

CloudFormation

Recommended size

t3.small

Ready in

5-10 minutes

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Launch, DNS, SSL, troubleshoot](https://meetrix.io/blogs/directus-developer-guide/)
-   [**Directus hosting on AWS** Features, security and use cases](https://meetrix.io/blogs/deploy-directus-aws-meetrix/)
-   [**Video walkthrough** Watch the deployment on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnDgrQHIGf4)

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-hk3oiq5rq2ucw)

### Directus on Google Cloud

The same headless CMS as a Google Cloud Marketplace image, deployed into your own GCP project.

Deploys with

Marketplace deployment form

Recommended size

e2-small

Free trial

5 days, up to USD 50 licence credit

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Configure, DNS, sign in, troubleshoot](https://meetrix.io/blogs/directus-gcp-developer-guide/)
-   [**Directus on Google Cloud Marketplace** Who it suits and how it compares](https://meetrix.io/blogs/directus-headless-cms-gcp/)

 [Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/directus-headless-cms)

## Directus by Meetrix vs Strapi vs Contentful

|  | Directus by Meetrix | Strapi | Contentful |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hosting | Your AWS account or GCP project | Self-hosted or Strapi Cloud | Contentful's cloud, no self-host option |
| Data model | Wraps a standard SQL database | Strapi generates and owns the schema | Stored on Contentful's infrastructure |
| SSL | Issued and renewed automatically | Manual when self-hosted | Handled by the vendor |
| Pricing model | Cloud compute only, no per-request fee | Free self-hosted, or per-seat on Strapi Cloud | Per-record and per-API-call tiers |

Directus's self-hosted licence is free for organisations under $5M in annual revenue and under 50 employees. [Read the full Strapi vs Directus comparison →](https://meetrix.io/blogs/strapi-vs-directus/)

## Video: deploy Directus on AWS

## Directus FAQ

What is Directus used for?

Directus turns a SQL database into a REST and GraphQL API with a no-code admin app. Teams use it as a headless CMS and as the backend for websites, mobile apps and internal tools.

Is Directus free?

Directus is licensed under MSCL-1.0-GPL, which makes self-hosting free for organisations under $5 million in annual revenue and under 50 employees; larger organisations need a paid licence. On AWS or Google Cloud you also pay for the server and any Meetrix software fee shown on the marketplace listing.

What are the default login credentials?

There are none. On AWS you create the first administrator account from the DashboardUrl after launch. On Google Cloud you set the admin email and password in the deployment form.

Which database does the image use?

The image ships with a database already configured and connected, so you can start modelling collections straight away. Wrapping an existing PostgreSQL or MySQL database needs a custom deployment.

Can I use my own domain?

Yes. Enter it at deployment and point a DNS A record at the server. The image requests a Let's Encrypt certificate for it; on AWS this is automatic when the domain is hosted on Route 53.

Which machine size should I choose?

t3.small on AWS and e2-small (2 GB memory) on Google Cloud work well for development and small teams. Choose a larger machine type for heavier API traffic.

How is Directus different from Strapi?

Strapi is code-first: it generates its own schema from content types you define. Directus is database-first: it builds the API and admin app around the tables in your database.

How do I upgrade?

When a new version is published on the marketplace, back up your data, remove the old deployment and launch the new version.

## Directus guides and articles

### [Strapi vs Directus: Which Headless CMS Should You Self-Host?](https://meetrix.io/blogs/strapi-vs-directus/)

Code-first vs database-first, and the licensing detail most reviews skip.

### [Directus Hosting on AWS with Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/blogs/deploy-directus-aws-meetrix/)

A production-ready, self-hosted headless CMS with automatic HTTPS and expert support.

### [Directus on GCP Marketplace: a Headless CMS in Minutes](https://meetrix.io/blogs/directus-headless-cms-gcp/)

Turn your database into a REST and GraphQL API inside your own GCP project.

## Need a hand with your Directus server?

We build and run self-hosted platforms for teams every day, from data modelling to custom extensions. Tell us what you need.

[Contact us](https://meetrix.io/contact-us/)