Sanity vs Strapi: CMS & Website Builders Compared (2026)
Sanity and Strapi are two widely compared CMSs. Sanity is a headless content platform with a customisable editing studio, real-time collaboration and content queried through GROQ or GraphQL. Strapi is an open-source, Node.js-based headless CMS with an admin content-type builder and plugins, free to self-host or available as Strapi Cloud.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 1 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Sanity vs Strapi: the short answer
Sanity is a headless content platform with a customisable editing studio, real-time collaboration and content queried through GROQ or GraphQL. Strapi is an open-source, Node.js-based headless CMS with an admin content-type builder and plugins, free to self-host or available as Strapi Cloud. Both are CMSs, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Sanity is described as: per seat per month; Strapi as: free self-hosted; Cloud per project per month. Both have a free option. Sanity lists a free option: 20 seats. Strapi lists a free option: self-hosted. Sanity is positioned for teams prioritising structured content and a customisable editor, and Strapi for developers wanting a self-hosted headless CMS without usage fees.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 1 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Sanity and Strapi at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Sanity
Sanity · CMS & Website Builders
Sanity is a headless content platform with a customisable editing studio, real-time collaboration and content queried through GROQ or GraphQL.
- Pricing
- Free (20 seats, 10K documents); Growth $15 per seat a month (up to 50 seats).
- Best for
- Teams prioritising structured content and a customisable editor
Strapi
Strapi · CMS & Website Builders
Strapi is an open-source, Node.js-based headless CMS with an admin content-type builder and plugins, free to self-host or available as Strapi Cloud.
- Pricing
- Community Edition free (MIT); Cloud Starter $35, Pro $90, Business $450 a month.
- Best for
- Developers wanting a self-hosted headless CMS without usage fees
Sanity vs Strapi: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Sanity |  Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesStructured content platform | YesOpen-source headless CMS |
| VendorDiffers | YesSanity | YesStrapi |
| Best forDiffers | YesTeams prioritising structured content and a customisable editor | YesDevelopers wanting a self-hosted headless CMS without usage fees |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesPer seat per month. | YesFree self-hosted; Cloud per project per month. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesFree (20 seats, 10K documents); Growth $15 per seat a month (up to 50 seats). | YesCommunity Edition free (MIT); Cloud Starter $35, Pro $90, Business $450 a month. |
| Free planDiffers | YesYes (20 seats) | YesYes (self-hosted) |
| Free trial | NoNot documented | NoNot documented |
| CMS & Website Builders criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesPer seat | YesFree / per project |
| Starting priceDiffers | Yes$15/seat/mo | Yes$35/project/mo (Cloud) |
| CMS type | YesHeadless | YesHeadless |
| Best forDiffers | YesStructured content | YesSelf-hosting devs |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team size | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| PlatformsDiffers | YesWeb | YesWeb, Self-hosted |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesNext.js, Vercel, Shopify, Netlify | YesNext.js, Gatsby, Vercel |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
Sanity vs Strapi pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Sanity pricing
Per seat per month.
- Free$0 · Free
- Growth$15 per seat per month · Monthly
- EnterpriseCustom · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (prices as of June 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Sanity plans and sources
Strapi pricing
Free self-hosted; Cloud per project per month.
- Community$0 · Free
- Cloud Starter$35 per project per month · Monthly
- Cloud Pro$90 per month · Monthly
- Cloud Business$450 per month · Monthly
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (prices as of June 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Strapi plans and sourcesSanity vs Strapi: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Sanity: per seat per month. Dupple (prices as of June 2026). Strapi: free self-hosted; Cloud per project per month. Dupple (prices as of June 2026). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Sanity profile highlights: customisable Studio; real-time collaboration; generous free plan. The Strapi profile highlights: MIT open source; no per-seat fees self-hosted; plugin ecosystem.
Integrations and ecosystem
Sanity integrations named in its sources: Next.js, Vercel, Shopify and Netlify. Strapi: Next.js, Gatsby and Vercel. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Sanity runs on Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. Strapi runs on Web and Self-hosted and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Sanity and Strapi: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Sanity
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Generous free plan.
- Real-time collaboration.
- Customisable editor.
- GROQ learning curve.
- New content types need a developer.
- Usage limits on free plan.
Strapi
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Free and open source.
- No per-seat or API fees self-hosted.
- Plugin ecosystem.
- You manage scaling and uptime.
- Major upgrades historically bumpy.
- Needs developers.
Sanity or Strapi: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Sanity if you are…
- Teams prioritising structured content and a customisable editor
- Developer-led startups
- Content-heavy apps
Less suited to: non-technical teams without developers; simple brochure sites.
See the Sanity profile
Choose Strapi if you are…
- Developers wanting a self-hosted headless CMS without usage fees
- Agencies building many sites
- Startups controlling costs
Less suited to: non-technical teams; teams avoiding infrastructure work.
See the Strapi profileSwitching between Sanity and Strapi.
Moving off Sanity or Strapi means exporting content and media, rebuilding templates or front ends, re-creating forms and integrations, and mapping 301 redirects for every URL so search rankings carry over. Keep the old site live until redirects and metadata are verified. Rebuild one high-traffic page and one blog post in each shortlisted CMS, then have a marketer publish an update without developer help.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Sanity vs Strapi: questions and answers
What is the difference between Sanity and Strapi?
Sanity is a headless content platform with a customisable editing studio, real-time collaboration and content queried through GROQ or GraphQL. Strapi is an open-source, Node.js-based headless CMS with an admin content-type builder and plugins, free to self-host or available as Strapi Cloud. Both are CMSs, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Sanity is positioned for teams prioritising structured content and a customisable editor; Strapi for developers wanting a self-hosted headless CMS without usage fees.
Is Sanity cheaper than Strapi?
It depends on your volume and plan. Sanity: Free (20 seats, 10K documents); Growth $15 per seat a month (up to 50 seats). Strapi: Community Edition free (MIT); Cloud Starter $35, Pro $90, Business $450 a month. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Sanity or Strapi have a free plan?
Both have a free option. Sanity lists a free option: 20 seats. Strapi lists a free option: self-hosted. Sanity free trial: Not documented. Strapi free trial: Not documented.
Sanity or Strapi: which is better for small teams?
Sanity and Strapi are both documented for small teams. Sanity suits teams prioritising structured content and a customisable editor; Strapi suits developers wanting a self-hosted headless CMS without usage fees. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Sanity and Strapi?
Sanity: GROQ learning curve. Strapi: You manage scaling and uptime.
How much does Sanity cost?
Free for 20 seats; Growth is $15 per seat a month for up to 50 seats.
Is Strapi free?
The Community Edition is free and open source under the MIT licence.
What are the alternatives to Sanity and Strapi?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Sanity alternatives and Strapi alternatives, each comparing at least four other CMSs on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The CMS & Website Builders category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Best Headless CMS in 2026 (prices as of June 2026, updated November 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Sanity and Strapi profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Sanity and Strapi?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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