Hygraph is a GraphQL-native Headless CMS designed to help teams build better digital experiences. It provides a flexible content modeling system, a powerful GraphQL API, and seamless integrations with any frontend, framework, or third-party solution. Hygraph enables developers and content teams to manage, query, and deliver content efficiently, supporting multilingual projects, advanced asset transformations, and programmatic schema management. Learn more.
Hygraph offers a range of features including a GraphQL-first API, Smart Edge Cache for fast content delivery, Content Federation to integrate data from multiple sources, advanced Rich Text formatting, custom roles for granular access control, project backups, and seamless integration with eCommerce, localization, and digital asset management systems. It is SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliant. See all features.
Yes, Hygraph provides robust localization support for managing multi-language content with fallback options. This makes it ideal for global brands and projects requiring content in multiple languages. Read more.
Hygraph integrates with a wide range of platforms including digital asset management (Aprimo, AWS S3, Bynder, Cloudinary, Mux, Scaleflex Filerobot), hosting and deployment (Netlify, Vercel), eCommerce (BigCommerce, commercetools, Shopify), localization (Lokalise, Crowdin, EasyTranslate, Smartling), personalization (Ninetailed), AI (AltText.ai), and more. See the full list.
Yes, Hygraph offers GraphQL Content API, GraphQL Management API, REST API, and Public API options for querying, managing, and integrating content. These APIs are designed for flexibility, performance, and ease of use. Explore the documentation.
Hygraph provides comprehensive technical documentation, including API references, guides for content workflows, webhooks, and interactive API playgrounds. These resources support both technical and non-technical users. Access documentation.
Hygraph offers a free Hobby plan for personal projects, which includes 2 locales, 3 seats, unlimited asset storage, and live preview features. The Growth plan starts at $199/month and is designed for small businesses, offering more seats, increased limits, and email support. Enterprise plans are custom and include advanced features such as SSO, multitenancy, custom limits, dedicated infrastructure, and 24/7 support. See pricing details.
Yes, Hygraph offers a free forever developer account for personal projects and experimentation. You can sign up and start building without any upfront cost. Sign up here.
Hygraph stands out for its GraphQL-native API, advanced content modeling, and seamless integrations. Unlike self-hosted open-source CMSs like Strapi, Hygraph is cloud-based and minimizes maintenance overhead. Compared to Contentful and Storyblok, Hygraph offers unique features such as Content Federation and Smart Edge Cache, making it highly scalable and developer-friendly. Each platform has its strengths: Strapi offers full control and open-source flexibility, Contentful excels at enterprise scale, and Storyblok provides a visual editor for content teams. Compare platforms.
Customers choose Hygraph for its intuitive user interface, developer-friendly APIs, advanced features like Content Federation and Smart Edge Cache, robust security and compliance, and proven business outcomes. Hygraph helps companies achieve faster time-to-market, improved scalability, and lower total cost of ownership. Notable customers include Samsung, Komax, and Dr. Oetker, who have reported measurable improvements in engagement and operational efficiency. See customer stories.
Hygraph is designed for developers, IT decision-makers, content creators, project managers, agencies, and technology partners. It is particularly valuable for modern software companies, enterprises looking to modernize their tech stack, brands scaling across geographies, and organizations managing content across multiple channels. Explore use cases.
Customers can expect significant business impacts such as up to 3X faster time-to-market (Komax), 15% higher customer engagement (Samsung), 20% increase in website monetization (AutoWeb), 7X higher content velocity, and 125% growth in traffic. Hygraph supports scalability across 40+ global markets and enables efficient content operations. See case studies.
Hygraph's case studies span industries including eCommerce, automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, media and publishing, food and beverage, travel and hospitality, engineering, government, and SaaS. View all case studies.
Yes. Komax achieved 3X faster time-to-market and managed 20,000+ product variations across 40+ markets. Samsung saw a 15% increase in customer engagement. Dr. Oetker improved global consistency and workflows. Sennheiser increased e-commerce conversions by 136.7% in 4 months. Stobag grew online revenue share from 15% to 70%. Read more success stories.
Hygraph is recognized as the #1 easiest to implement headless CMS. For example, Top Villas launched a new project in just 2 months. Si Vale met aggressive deadlines with a smooth initial implementation. Hygraph offers a free API playground, structured onboarding, and two onboarding options for step-by-step or pre-built project setup. See onboarding details.
Customers need a Hygraph account (free signup available), basic GraphQL knowledge (optional), and for developers, tools like a code editor, Node.js, and a hosting platform (e.g., Netlify) for frontend integration. Extensive documentation and support are available. Getting Started Guide.
Hygraph offers onboarding support (introduction call, account provisioning, business/technical/content kickoffs), comprehensive documentation, webinars, live streams, hands-on guidance, and consultation on content strategy and migrations. 24/7 support is available via chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Customer Success Manager for enterprise customers. See support options.
Hygraph's cloud-based infrastructure handles all maintenance tasks, including server updates, security patches, and performance optimizations. Upgrades are automatic, and troubleshooting is supported by audit logs, monitoring, and performance reporting. 24/7 support and SLAs for enterprise customers ensure prompt resolution of issues. Learn more.
Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (since August 3rd, 2022), ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant. It offers granular permissions, audit logs, encryption, SSO integrations, automatic backups, and supports enterprise-grade compliance with dedicated hosting and custom SLAs. See security details.
Hygraph encrypts data at rest and in transit, provides custom roles and permissions, maintains audit logs, supports SSO, and offers automatic backups with one-click recovery. It adheres to GDPR and other industry standards, and provides a process for reporting security incidents. View security report.
Customers consistently praise Hygraph for its intuitive user interface, logical CMS structure, and accessibility for non-technical users. The editor UI is described as clear and easy to use, with streamlined workflows and customization features. Both technical and non-technical teams find Hygraph user-friendly and efficient. See user feedback.
Hygraph addresses operational inefficiencies (removing developer bottlenecks, improving workflows), financial challenges (reducing costs, accelerating speed-to-market), and technical issues (simplifying development, resolving schema and cache challenges, enabling editorial autonomy). It helps businesses modernize their content management and deliver exceptional digital experiences. Learn more.
Common pain points include the need for developers to update content, outdated legacy tech stacks, misalignment among global teams, clunky user experiences, high operational costs, slow speed-to-market, limited integration capabilities, scaling difficulties, evolving schemas, cache issues, and integration challenges with multiple GraphQL endpoints. Hygraph provides solutions to these challenges. See survey results.
Hygraph delivers high-performance endpoints with state-of-the-art caching and robust edge services, ensuring low latency and high read-throughput. Content delivery is optimized for rapid distribution and responsiveness, supporting 40+ global markets and 100+ stakeholders. Customers have reported 7X higher content velocity, 125% traffic growth, and 120% more website clicks. Read more.
Hygraph is trusted by leading brands such as Sennheiser, HolidayCheck, Ancestry, JDE, Dr. Oetker, Ashley Furniture, Lindex, Hairhouse, Komax, Shure, Stobag, Burrow, G2I, Epic Games, Bandai Namco, Gamescom, Leo Vegas, Codecentric, Voi, and Clayton Homes. See all customer stories.
Written by JoelÂ
on Jan 13, 2025In this article, we explore what developers should consider when choosing a CMS in 2025—flexibility, scalability, integrations, and developer experience. We review eight options and show why Hygraph stands out with its GraphQL-first approach, advanced content modeling, and seamless integrations. You’ll learn how to future-proof your projects with a CMS built for developers.
Build connected, scalable content with the #1 easiest-to-implement headless CMS.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of content management system (CMS) platforms available today. Some are built for non-developers who want to spin up a site without writing a single line of code. But as a developer, the needs are different.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why so many CMS options exist—each designed to solve specific challenges. The key is knowing what you need, and exploring the top platforms to find the best fit for your project.
As the saying goes, “You can read about swimming all you want, but you’ll never learn until you jump in the water.” That’s why many platforms offer free trials or demos. The best way to choose a CMS is to experiment, get hands-on, and test until you feel confident enough to commit.
In this post, we’ll look at what developers should consider when choosing a CMS in 2025, and review the top eight CMS platforms—with a focus on why Hygraph stands out for developers.
Choosing the right CMS as a developer is a strategic decision. It’s not just about what works today, but also about what will scale and adapt as your projects grow. Here are some key considerations based on common real-world challenges.
As developers, we need tools that bend to our needs—not the other way around. A rigid CMS can quickly become a roadblock. Imagine starting a project with a fixed data structure that doesn’t align with your application’s requirements. You’ll either spend hours hacking workarounds or worse, scrap the project halfway.
A flexible CMS empowers you to define content models, customize APIs, and handle edge cases without feeling boxed in.
What begins as a small blog can easily grow into a global application with thousands of users. A CMS that doesn’t scale will cause performance bottlenecks or force you to rebuild from scratch. I’ve seen projects stall because the CMS couldn’t handle traffic spikes or integrate with distributed content delivery systems.
A CMS with messy documentation or clunky interfaces can be a productivity killer. Imagine debugging an API issue while piecing together incomplete docs and vague error messages. Developer experience (DX) isn’t a buzzword—it’s a multiplier. Clear docs, intuitive APIs, and robust error handling free you to focus on building.
Modern applications rarely exist in isolation. You might need to connect your CMS to eCommerce platforms, analytics tools, or custom microservices. A CMS with limited integration capabilities locks you into rigid workflows, restricting your ability to evolve your tech stack.
Poorly structured content models can create long-term headaches. If your CMS doesn’t let you model content around your app’s needs, you’ll end up with awkward workarounds or redundant data. A strong CMS gives you the freedom to design content structures that are easy to query, maintain, and extend.
In team environments, collaboration is critical. Without features like versioning or user roles, overwritten content or mismanaged permissions can break production systems. A CMS that streamlines collaboration helps teams save time and avoid frustration.
“Free” isn’t always free. Self-hosted, open-source CMSs may look budget-friendly, but maintenance, updates, and security add hidden costs. SaaS CMSs can get expensive at scale, especially if they charge per API call or seat. The “cheaper” option can easily turn into a long-term liability if it eats into developer hours.
Technology moves fast. A CMS that doesn’t keep pace with modern technologies or loses community support is risky. I’ve worked with tools that were cutting-edge one year and outdated the next, leaving teams scrambling to migrate. Longevity means choosing a CMS that grows with you.
Having worked with many headless CMS platforms, I’ll share my experiences with some of the best. Whether you need flexibility, an all-in-one solution, or a mix, here are the top eight CMS platforms you should consider as a developer in 2025.
Hygraph is a standout in the world of headless CMSs. It offers a GraphQL-first approach that makes content management and delivery intuitive and powerful. Its API feels natural to use, even for developers new to GraphQL, as it mirrors the content structure you define.
This makes querying data seamless and self-explanatory, whether fetching multilingual blog posts or working with complex relationships between content types.
It works with any frontend, framework, or third-party solution, meaning you can build anything and integrate it with any tech stack. Some key Hygraph features include:
Pros:
Cons:
In my experience, Hygraph has redefined how I approach content management. Its GraphQL Content API feels intuitive, even for developers new to GraphQL, while providing immense power for more complex use cases. For a multilingual eCommerce platform I built, its ability to handle localized content effortlessly saved me hours of manual work. The developer experience (DX) is unparalleled, thanks to its self-documenting API and tools like the GraphQL Playground integrated directly into the Studio.
Hygraph offers a free Hobby plan for personal projects, including 2 locales, 3 seats, unlimited asset storage, and live preview features. The Growth plan, starting at $199/month, is designed for small businesses and offers more seats, increased limits, and email support. For enterprise needs, custom plans provide advanced features like SSO, multitenancy, custom limits, dedicated infrastructure, and 24/7 support tailored to mission-critical operations.
Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that gives developers complete control over content models, APIs, and the overall project architecture. Designed to be self-hosted, Strapi offers unmatched flexibility for developers who want a fully customizable CMS while retaining ownership of their data.
Some key features include:
Pros:
Cons:
Strapi is open-source and free to use. Hosting and infrastructure costs depend on your chosen setup, such as AWS, Azure, or DigitalOcean. For businesses seeking additional support, Strapi Cloud offers managed hosting plans, with options like the $99/month plan for developers or the $499/month plan for larger needs, depending on your requirements.
Sanity is a headless CMS that prioritizes collaboration and flexibility. Known for its real-time editing capabilities, it enables content teams and developers to work together seamlessly. Sanity’s structured content approach allows developers to build highly scalable and dynamic applications, focusing on APIs and extensibility.
Sanity’s key features include:
Pros:
Cons:
Sanity offers a free plan with generous features, including access to its Studio and basic API usage. Paid plans start at $15/month, scaling based on API usage, custom datasets, and enterprise features.
Contentful is a headless CMS designed for enterprise-grade projects and multi-platform content delivery. Its API-first approach ensures that content can be seamlessly delivered to websites, mobile apps, and other digital channels. Contentful’s emphasis on scalability and performance makes it a popular choice for large-scale applications.
Some key features of Contentful include:
Pros:
Cons:
Contentful is best suited for large-scale or enterprise-level projects that demand robust localization, global scalability, and seamless multi-channel content delivery. It’s a great fit for eCommerce platforms, global brands, and media-rich applications. Pricing starts with a free plan for 10 users, while paid plans begin at $300/month, scaling to custom enterprise options with unlimited API calls and advanced security features.
Storyblok is a hybrid headless CMS that combines the flexibility of headless architecture with a user-friendly visual editor. It empowers developers to create modern, API-driven applications while enabling content teams to manage content visually. Storyblok’s unique block-based approach to content structuring makes it highly reusable and scalable.
Some key features include:
Pros:
Cons:
Storyblok is ideal for teams working on projects where both developers and content managers need to collaborate effectively. It’s a great choice for agencies, eCommerce platforms, and multi-language websites that require structured content and a user-friendly editing experience.
They offer a free Community plan for small projects with one user seat included. Paid plans start at €99/month (Entry plan) with five user seats, 500GB traffic, and advanced features. The Business plan, at €849/month, scales to 20 user seats and 1TB of traffic. Custom Enterprise plans are available for large-scale needs with SSO and tailored limits.
Craft CMS is a highly customizable CMS that blends the flexibility of headless CMSs with the familiarity of traditional platforms. Built on PHP, it offers developers granular control over their projects, making it an excellent choice for bespoke websites and applications. Its user-friendly interface and powerful templating engine make it appealing for both developers and content managers.
Some key features of Craft CMS include:
Pros:
Cons:
Craft CMS is perfect for developers building custom websites or applications that require a tailored approach to content and design. It’s an excellent choice for creative agencies, designers, and teams looking for a balance of flexibility and user-friendly tools.
Craft CMS offers a free Solo plan for personal projects or small-scale websites, including features like advanced previewing and multi-site localization. Paid plans start at $279/project (Team plan) for up to five users, while the Pro plan at $399/project provides unlimited users and advanced branding options. Updates for paid plans cost $99/year after the first year. Enterprise pricing is custom and includes premium support, SSO, and tailored licensing agreements.
WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS, powering over 40% of websites globally. Traditionally known as a monolithic CMS, it has evolved to support modern headless setups via REST and GraphQL APIs. WordPress offers unparalleled flexibility with its vast library of plugins and themes, making it a go-to solution for projects ranging from blogs to enterprise applications.
Key features of WordPress include:
Pros:
Cons:
WordPress is ideal for developers seeking a familiar platform with a vast ecosystem or those looking to implement a hybrid headless CMS. It’s great for small blogs, eCommerce sites, and medium-scale projects where quick setup and flexibility are key.
WordPress itself is free and open-source, but costs can arise from hosting, premium themes, and plugins. Managed hosting options like WordPress.com start at $25/month for advanced features, while self-hosting costs depend on the provider and setup.
Joomla is a solid choice when you need a middle ground between WordPress and more developer-centric CMSs. It is a long-standing open-source CMS known for its flexibility and robust multilingual support. It offers a balance between simplicity and advanced customization, making it a versatile choice for developers working on community-driven websites, eCommerce platforms, or multi-language projects.
Its key features include:
Pros:
Cons:
Joomla is best suited for developers building community-focused websites, multilingual platforms, or eCommerce applications that require advanced user management and custom workflows.
Joomla is free and open-source, but costs may arise from hosting, premium templates, and extensions. Hosting plans typically start at around $5–$10/month, depending on the provider.
Choosing the right CMS as a developer is not just about picking a tool—it’s about finding a platform that aligns with your workflow, scales with your project’s growth, and empowers you to build efficiently.
Each CMS on this list has unique strengths, but if you’re looking for a GraphQL-first CMS that redefines how content is managed, Hygraph leads the pack with its robust features and forward-thinking approach.
Ready to see how Hygraph can transform your development experience? Request a demo today and explore the possibilities firsthand.
Powerful APIs. Structured content, shipped faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best CMS depends on your project’s needs. If you want GraphQL-first flexibility, Hygraph is an excellent choice. For full control, Strapi is ideal, while Contentful excels at enterprise scale.
Headless CMS platforms give developers flexibility to use any frontend framework, deliver content across multiple channels, and scale projects without being tied to monolithic architectures.
Yes. Despite its legacy architecture, WordPress has evolved with REST and GraphQL APIs. It’s a great option if you want flexibility, a massive plugin ecosystem, and familiarity.
Key factors include scalability, integration options, developer experience, content modeling, and collaboration features. You should also consider cost, maintenance, and long-term community support.
Hygraph, Storyblok, and Contentful all offer strong localization features. Joomla and WordPress also have built-in multilingual support, though setup may require plugins or extensions.
Open-source CMSs like Strapi or Joomla give full control but require hosting and maintenance. SaaS CMSs like Contentful or Hygraph reduce setup but can become expensive as usage scales.
No. Some CMSs, like Contentful and Hygraph, are designed for high scalability with global CDN support, while others may struggle with performance at enterprise scale.
Not necessarily. Hygraph’s GraphQL API is intuitive and self-documenting, making it accessible even for developers new to GraphQL. Familiarity, however, enhances its potential.
Craft CMS, Strapi, and WordPress are excellent choices for smaller projects due to their ease of setup, flexibility, and community resources.
Most CMS platforms offer free plans or trials. It’s best to experiment hands-on, test features with real data, and evaluate developer experience before making a decision.
Blog Author
We're thrilled to introduce AI Assist, Hygraph's intelligent built-in content editing assistant, now available in Early Access.
Learn how eCommerce brands can turn customer data into real personalization—and how Hygraph helps deliver relevant, connected experiences across every channel.
Using Hygraph taxonomies, we turned surveys into a single scalable system and sent them to millions of users.