Best Headless CMS in 2026
Updated
In short: ButterCMS is ranked #1 of 35 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Prismic and Sanity. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Prismic. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Prismic at $10/mo.
When content needs to reach websites or apps through separate presentation layers, a headless CMS provides a way to manage that content independently. Compare API types, asset transformations, localization, and content preview to see which publishing needs are covered. Role permissions and webhooks offer further points to weigh for access and integrations, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame cost. ButterCMS, Prismic, and Sanity are among the entries, alongside options such as Strapi and Directus. Consider how your content workflow handles contributors, localized material, and delivery, then use the listed capabilities to judge which system aligns with those needs.
35 headless CMS ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 ButterCMS iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.0$71/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 2 Prismic No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.2$10/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 3 Sanity No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1$15/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 4 Cosmic iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1$99/mo API types: restContent localization: YesRole permissions: advanced
- 5 Strapi No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$35/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 6 dotCMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 7 Storyblok No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7$99/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 8 Directus No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.6$499/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 9 DatoCMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5€149,199/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 10 Contentful No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4$300/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 11 Cloud CMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4Free API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 12 Bloomreach Content iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 13 Squidex No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 14 CrafterCMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 15 Webiny No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2$79/mo API types: graphqlContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 16 Enonic XP No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.1Free API types: graphqlContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 17 Payload CMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 18 Hygraph No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5$199/mo API types: graphqlContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 19 Contentstack No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$299/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 20 TinaCMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$24/mo
- 21 CoreMedia CMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: advanced
- 22 Zesty.io No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2$475/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: advanced
- 23 Umbraco CMS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2€45/mo API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 24 Kontent.ai No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: custom
- 25 Amplience No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1 API types: bothContent localization: YesRole permissions: advanced
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which headless CMS is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
ButterCMS is ranked #1 of 35 with a score of 9.0. Prismic is second and Sanity third.
How many of these have a free plan?
17 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Prismic has the lowest first paid tier we found: $10/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.