{"category":{"slug":"open-source-headless-cms","label":"Open-source headless CMS"},"methodology_url":"https://www.orbator.io/ai-index/methodology","license":"Free to use with attribution to orbator.io","date":"2026-09-08","engine":null,"available_dates":["2026-09-08","2026-08-21","2026-08-20","2026-08-13","2026-08-12","2026-07-29","2026-07-25","2026-07-22","2026-07-09","2026-07-06","2026-06-17"],"policy":{"quotable_engines":["anthropic","openai","gemini"],"max_excerpt_chars":400,"full_text_public":false,"customer_runs_public":false,"full_text_retention":"retained at least 24 months, then operator review","notes":["Only Index category runs are archived publicly — customer scans never appear.","The quotable unit is a short excerpt of at most 400 characters, never the full answer.","Engines outside the verbatim allowlist are recorded as having answered, with the excerpt withheld under their terms.","Prompt intent is published; the prompt text itself is not."]},"status":"ok","count":5,"limit":50,"truncated":false,"engines":[{"engine":"gemini","count":2,"withheld":false,"answers":[{"engine":"gemini","answered_on":"2026-09-08","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"For developers seeking a powerful and flexible open-source headless CMS that can be self-hosted for a Next.js or Nuxt.js frontend, several excellent options stand out:\n\n*   **Strapi**: Widely recognized as a leading open-source headless CMS, Strapi is highly recommended for its self-hostable nature, offering full control over your data and infrastructure. It boasts a strong community, supports var","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":102,"end":109,"name":"Next.js"},{"start":113,"end":120,"name":"Nuxt.js"},{"start":175,"end":181,"name":"Strapi"},{"start":242,"end":248,"name":"Strapi"}]},{"engine":"gemini","answered_on":"2026-09-08","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"For a content team seeking a self-hosted headless CMS with a visual editor and robust API delivery, several strong open-source options are available that prioritize both developer flexibility and editor experience. The top contenders that meet these criteria include Strapi, Directus, and Payload CMS.\n\nHere's a breakdown of recommended self-hosted headless CMS platforms:\n\n*   **Strapi**\n    Strapi","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":267,"end":273,"name":"Strapi"},{"start":275,"end":283,"name":"Directus"},{"start":289,"end":296,"name":"Payload"},{"start":380,"end":386,"name":"Strapi"},{"start":393,"end":399,"name":"Strapi"}]}]},{"engine":"perplexity","count":2,"withheld":true,"answers":[{"engine":"perplexity","answered_on":"2026-09-08","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":null,"excerpt_withheld":true,"withheld_reason":"source_terms","highlights":[]},{"engine":"perplexity","answered_on":"2026-09-08","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":null,"excerpt_withheld":true,"withheld_reason":"source_terms","highlights":[]}]},{"engine":"openai","count":1,"withheld":false,"answers":[{"engine":"openai","answered_on":"2026-09-08","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"For that combination—self-hosted + genuinely usable by a content team + visual editing + API-first delivery—I’d shortlist Directus, Strapi, and Payload, with the choice depending on what you mean by “visual editor.”\n\nMy default recommendation is Directus if editor experience and operational flexibility matter most. It can be self-hosted, sits over a SQL database, and dynamically exposes REST and G","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":122,"end":130,"name":"Directus"},{"start":132,"end":138,"name":"Strapi"},{"start":144,"end":151,"name":"Payload"},{"start":246,"end":254,"name":"Directus"}]}]}]}