The traditional CMS has served marketers and developers well for decades. But as customer experiences stretch across websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, and even AR/VR environments, the old model struggles to keep up. In 2025, the demand for headless CMS options is stronger than ever—and with good reason.
Unlike legacy CMS platforms that entangle content with presentation, a headless CMS separates the content layer (the “body”) from the frontend (the “head”). The result? Greater flexibility, faster development, and seamless content delivery across multiple channels.
But what exactly are your options in the current landscape? And how do you choose the right one for your team?
Let’s break it down.
Why Businesses Are Moving to Headless CMS Platforms
First, let’s clarify the shift.
Traditional CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are monolithic. They couple the content backend with a templated frontend, which limits flexibility when scaling to new platforms or delivering content across different devices.
Headless CMS platforms, on the other hand, act more like content hubs. They store, structure, and manage content—but leave the delivery to whatever frontend your team builds. This model is particularly valuable for:
- Omnichannel brands needing consistency across web, mobile, kiosks, and apps
- Developer teams using React, Vue, or Next.js for dynamic frontends
- Marketers wanting faster publishing workflows without dependency on engineering
- Enterprises requiring structured content reuse across business units
In short, headless CMS solutions align better with the demands of modern, API-first architectures.
What to Look for in a Headless CMS (Before Exploring Options)
Before jumping into the headless CMS landscape, you need clarity on your use case. The ideal platform will vary depending on:
- Content team size and technical skill
- Developer workflow and preferred frontend stack
- Multilingual or localization needs
- Security, compliance, and hosting requirements
- Budget—SaaS vs. self-hosted vs. open source
Key features to prioritize:
- Robust API support (RESTful and GraphQL)
- Content modeling flexibility
- Version control and publishing workflows
- User roles and permission granularity
- Omnichannel preview capabilities
- Strong developer documentation
Now that we’ve set the criteria, let’s explore the top headless CMS options in 2025.
Top Headless CMS Options in 2025
1. Contentful
Best for: Mid-to-enterprise teams needing scalability and API power
Contentful remains one of the most popular SaaS headless CMS platforms. Its flexible content modeling, GraphQL support, and integrations with tools like Vercel, Netlify, and Slack make it a go-to for teams using modern frontend frameworks.
Pros:
- Highly customizable content types
- Clean user interface for content editors
- Strong community and ecosystem
- Built-in localization support
Cons:
- Can get expensive at scale
- Limited WYSIWYG editing out-of-the-box
2. Strapi
Best for: Open-source flexibility with enterprise potential
Strapi is a self-hosted, Node.js-based headless CMS that gives developers full control. It’s open source, customizable, and supports both REST and GraphQL.
Pros:
- Free and open-source core
- Easily extended via plugins
- Active community and documentation
- Flexible role-based access control
Cons:
- Requires infrastructure management
- Some enterprise features locked behind a paid plan
3. Sanity
Best for: Structured content and real-time collaboration
Sanity offers a flexible content studio with real-time collaborative editing, customizable workflows, and strong developer tooling. It’s API-driven, schema-based, and great for structured content management at scale.
Pros:
- Real-time content editing
- Built-in analytics
- Structured content for omnichannel use
- Developer-friendly CLI
Cons:
- Slightly steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing based on usage (queries and bandwidth)
4. Storyblok
Best for: Visual editing within a headless environment
Storyblok blends the flexibility of a headless CMS with visual editing features that marketers love. Its component-based architecture and preview capabilities make it ideal for marketing teams building across web and mobile.
Pros:
- Visual editor with live preview
- Strong internationalization tools
- Component-based content blocks
- Flexible pricing tiers
Cons:
- May require frontend adaptation for full visual editing experience
- Fewer enterprise integrations than legacy CMSs
5. Hygraph (formerly GraphCMS)
Best for: GraphQL-first applications and structured content distribution
Hygraph is purpose-built for GraphQL, offering developers a high-performance API and a powerful schema builder. It’s excellent for SaaS platforms or content-rich applications.
Pros:
- Built for GraphQL from the ground up
- Clean UI and schema builder
- High performance at scale
- Built-in roles and permissions
Cons:
- GraphQL-focused—less ideal if your team prefers REST
- Limited visual editing for content teams
6. Kontent.ai
Best for: Enterprise-grade security and modular content delivery
Kontent.ai offers robust headless CMS features designed with large enterprises in mind. It emphasizes modular content reuse, security, and governance—great for regulated industries or global brands.
Pros:
- Compliant with ISO, GDPR, HIPAA
- Modular content structuring
- Native workflow and versioning
- Detailed audit trails
Cons:
- Enterprise pricing tier
- Not open-source or self-hosted
7. DatoCMS
Best for: Agile teams looking for speed and simplicity
DatoCMS is known for its quick setup, GraphQL support, and intuitive UI. It’s a good fit for startups and agencies building on frameworks like Gatsby and Next.js.
Pros:
- Lightweight and fast setup
- CDN-powered media delivery
- Plugin system
- Developer-centric API docs
Cons:
- Smaller ecosystem than Contentful or Sanity
- Limited native localization tools
Real-World Use Case: How One Brand Made the Switch
A global eCommerce brand recently migrated from a WordPress monolith to a headless stack using Sanity + Next.js + Vercel.
Challenges:
- Slow content updates
- Friction between developers and marketers
- Painful mobile site performance
Solution:
- Sanity handled structured product content
- Next.js enabled custom frontends per region
- Vercel provided lightning-fast deployment
Outcomes:
- 55% faster page loads
- 3x faster content publishing
- 22% increase in mobile conversions
This shift empowered the content team to manage campaigns independently, while giving developers full control over site speed and UX.
Final Thoughts: Headless CMS Is a Strategic Choice
The right headless CMS option isn’t just a content tool—it’s a foundation for delivering seamless customer experiences across every digital touchpoint.
Whether you’re a scaling startup, a media brand, or a Fortune 500 enterprise, headless CMS platforms provide the flexibility, speed, and future-readiness required to win in 2025 and beyond.
But don’t just chase features—align your choice with your content goals, team structure, and long-term growth plan.
Looking for help implementing a headless CMS?
Zarad & Co. partners with ambitious product teams to plan, implement, and scale headless CMS architectures that future-proof digital growth.
