Self-Hosted / Projects / Strapi
Strapi
StableSpecs verified October 9, 2026 · against vv5.57.0
Overview
Self-hosted headless CMS for customizable REST and GraphQL APIs.
Strapi is an open-source headless CMS for teams that want to model content, manage it in an admin panel, and deliver it through APIs to websites, apps, and other frontends.
Why developers choose Strapi
The practical search intent is a self-hosted alternative to hosted content platforms. Strapi lets developers define content types, components, dynamic zones, permissions, and custom backend logic while keeping the application and data under their control.
What is included
Official documentation covers the Content-Type Builder, components, dynamic zones, REST and GraphQL APIs, media handling, roles and permissions, plugins, custom controllers and services, and an admin panel for editors.
Requirements and tradeoffs
Strapi is a Node.js application rather than a ready-made official container image. Current Docker documentation explains how to build a project image and lists Docker, Compose v2, a supported Node.js version, and a database as deployment prerequisites. You own image builds, secrets, database backups, upgrades, and production hardening.
Best fit
Choose Strapi when you need a customizable API-first CMS for a product or content team. A simpler blogging CMS may be easier for one site, while a hosted platform reduces operations when you do not need control over the runtime.
Interface previews
Screenshots of the Strapi interface.
Feature support
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Content-Type BuilderThe official site documents visual modeling of content types and fields. | Supported |
| Components and dynamic zonesThese are core Strapi modeling features for reusable and flexible content structures. | Supported |
| REST APIStrapi generates REST APIs from the configured content model. | Supported |
| GraphQL APIOfficial documentation includes GraphQL support through the Strapi ecosystem. | Supported |
| Media libraryStrapi provides media management for content assets. | Supported |
| Roles and permissionsThe CMS includes access-control features for admin and API use cases. | Supported |
| Custom controllers and servicesStrapi can be extended with backend code, controllers, services, and middleware. | Supported |
| Official Docker imageCurrent Docker docs explicitly state that Strapi does not build official container images; operators build project images or use community tooling. | Not supported |
Community signals
- Stars
- 73.3k
- Forks
- 9.9k
- Open issues
- 612
- Last commit
- 20h ago
- Latest release
- v5.57.0
- Repo created
- Sep 2015
Includes open pull requests
5d ago
Refreshed nightly from the GitHub API.
Questions
What is Strapi used for?
Strapi is used to model content, manage it through an admin panel, and deliver it through REST or GraphQL APIs to websites and applications.
Is Strapi a self-hosted headless CMS?
Yes. Strapi runs as a Node.js application that you can deploy on infrastructure you control.
Can Strapi replace WordPress?
It can replace WordPress for API-first applications and custom frontends, but it is not the same editorial or theme-oriented workflow. Choose based on whether you need a headless content platform or a traditional publishing site.
Does Strapi support REST and GraphQL?
Yes. Strapi provides REST APIs from the content model and supports GraphQL through its documented ecosystem.
Can Strapi run in Docker?
Yes, but the official docs explain how to build a Docker image for an existing Strapi project and caution that Strapi does not publish official container images.
What database does Strapi use?
Strapi deployments use a supported SQL database configured for the project. Check the current version documentation before choosing a production database and backup strategy.
Is Strapi free and open source?
Strapi is published under the MIT license, while hosted services and optional commercial offerings can have separate terms or costs.
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