Directus vs Microsoft SQL Server

by Gralio Feb 06, 2025

Directus simplifies data management for non-technical teams through its intuitive interface and customization options. SQL Server offers powerful data analysis capabilities but requires more technical expertise. Directus is suitable for content-focused businesses, while SQL Server is better for data-heavy, analytical workloads.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 4122 reviews and 60 websites, saving 23 hours, 24 minutes of reading.

Directus

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Microsoft SQL Server

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About

Directus is a tool that makes it easier for your company to manage its data, even if you don't have a team of tech experts. It works directly with your existing databases and provides a user-friendly interface for non-technical staff to update and manage website content, product information, and more. Directus offers developers powerful tools to customize the platform while giving everyone in the company access to the information they need. This means Directus can be customized to your company's needs and can grow with your business.

Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system for businesses of all sizes. It helps you analyze various types of data and can be used in multiple environments, including on your servers and in the cloud. SQL Server offers high performance and strong security features. It allows developers to build applications using different programming languages and provides mobile business intelligence tools.

Summary

Main difference

Directus excels at providing a user-friendly, customizable interface for managing data without needing technical expertise, making it ideal for content management and collaboration across teams. Microsoft SQL Server is a robust, scalable database system designed for complex data analysis and reporting, best suited for businesses with high data volumes and analytical needs.

Relative strengths of Directus (compared to Microsoft SQL Server)

Easier data management for non-technical users.
Highly customizable with flexible data models and content structures.
Strong API for seamless integration with other platforms.

Relative weaknesses of Directus (compared to Microsoft SQL Server)

Can have occasional bugs and regressions.
Documentation can be lacking for complex setups.
Limited plugin/extension ecosystem compared to other CMS options.

What companies are using Directus and Microsoft SQL Server?

The Shift Network

Ripley Entertainment

Copa Airlines - Colombia

No data

Who should use Directus VS. Microsoft SQL Server

Directus is the perfect solution for small to medium-sized businesses looking to simplify data management. It's praised for its intuitive interface, flexible data models, and powerful API. Users appreciate how Directus seamlessly integrates with various platforms, while developers love its open-source nature and customization options. However, some users have noted occasional bugs and incomplete documentation.

Microsoft SQL Server is a robust and reliable database management system suitable for businesses of all sizes. Users praise its powerful querying capabilities and integration with other Microsoft products. However, some users note the high licensing costs and resource-intensive Management Studio. It's ideal for organizations needing to analyze various types of data, especially those already within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses needing an intuitive data management solution.
Ideal for various sectors, including Software, IT, and E-commerce, seeking streamlined data control.

Ideal for small, medium, and large enterprises, especially in IT.
A good fit for software, IT, telecommunications, and other data-heavy industries.

Directus and Microsoft SQL Server features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

REST and GraphQL API

Supported

Directus instantly generates REST and GraphQL APIs for seamless data access and manipulation.

Partially supported

SQL Server supports REST and GraphQL APIs via tools like Data API Builder and Hasura.
Custom data browsing and filtering

Supported

Directus supports custom data browsing and filtering through its API and low-code platform.

Partially supported

SQL Server supports filtering but custom layouts may require additional tools.
Digital asset management

Supported

Directus provides centralized storage and management for product-related digital assets.

Partially supported

SQL Server can be used as a backend for dedicated digital asset management systems.
SQL Support

Supported

Directus allows execution of raw SQL queries directly on the database.

Supported

Microsoft SQL Server supports executing SQL queries.
SQL support

Supported

Directus allows querying data using SQL.

Supported

SQL Server supports querying data using SQL.
SQL data transformation

Supported

Directus supports SQL data transformations using raw SQL queries.

Supported

SQL Server supports data transformations using SQL queries within Integration Services.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

No data

-0.33

Rather negative sentiment
Customer Service

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.76

Strongly positive sentiment
Ease of Use

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.68

Rather positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0

Neutral sentiment

+0.6

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.29

Neutral sentiment
Scalability

No data

+0.27

Neutral sentiment

Directus and Microsoft SQL Server Pricing

No data

We couldn't find a pricing page for Directus.

No data

User sentiment

Rather negative

-0.33

We couldn't find a pricing page for Microsoft SQL Server.

Directus and Microsoft SQL Server review insights

4122 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Intuitive and user-friendly interface for both developers and content managers
Flexible and customizable data models and content structures
Powerful API (REST and GraphQL) for seamless integration with various platforms
Open-source nature allows for full control, customization, and community support
Active development and frequent updates with new features and improvements

Robust and reliable for data storage and management.
Powerful querying capabilities.
Easy integration with other Microsoft products and services (e.g., Azure, Power BI).
User-friendly interface with SQL Server Management Studio.
Large and supportive community.

Users dislike

Occasional bugs and regressions can disrupt workflows
Documentation can be lacking for some features, especially for complex setups or customizations
Limited plugin/extension ecosystem compared to some other CMS options
Steep learning curve for advanced customizations and extending the platform

High licensing costs for enterprise edition.
SQL Server Management Studio can be slow and resource intensive.
Limited JSON support in older versions.
Complex installation and configuration process.
Limited compatibility with non-Microsoft platforms.

Directus and Microsoft SQL Server Ratings

G2

5.0/5

(35)
Capterra

4.5/5

(60)

G2

4.4/5

(2187)
Capterra

4.6/5

(1852)

Company health

Employee growth

91% increase in the last year

3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

No data

11% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How can Directus's open-source nature benefit my team's customization needs compared to SQL Server?

Directus's open-source nature allows your team to directly access and modify the source code, enabling extensive customization beyond what SQL Server offers. This means you can tailor Directus to fit your specific needs, add features, and integrate with other systems in ways that might be impossible or prohibitively expensive with a closed-source product like SQL Server. Furthermore, the open-source community surrounding Directus can provide valuable support and contribute to its ongoing development, enhancing your team's customization capabilities.

Which product better supports non-technical users managing data, Directus or SQL Server?

Directus is significantly better for non-technical users managing data. It's specifically designed with a user-friendly interface for non-technical staff to update and manage various types of data. While SQL Server is a powerful database system, it requires technical expertise in SQL and database management, making it less accessible for non-technical users. Directus's focus on ease of use and low-code platform makes it a more suitable choice for organizations without dedicated technical teams.

What are the advantages of Directus?

Directus offers advantages in ease of use and data accessibility for non-technical users, direct integration with existing databases, and flexible customization through its API and low-code platform. It's open-source nature provides full control and community support, and the platform boasts an intuitive interface praised by users.

What are the disadvantages of Directus?

Directus users occasionally report bugs and regressions that disrupt workflows. Some users find the documentation lacking for complex setups or customizations. Directus also has a limited plugin/extension ecosystem compared to other CMS options, and some find the learning curve steep for advanced customizations.

Alternatives to Directus and Microsoft SQL Server

Bynder

Bynder is a cloud-based digital asset management (DAM) software that helps mid-sized and larger companies organize, manage, and distribute their digital content. It offers tools to streamline workflows, ensure brand consistency, and gain insights into content performance. Key features include AI-powered search, automated workflows, and integrations with other marketing tools. Bynder is used by companies like Spotify and Puma to manage a large volume of assets and streamline their creative processes.

Snowflake

Snowflake is a cloud-based data platform designed for businesses to store, manage, and analyze large amounts of data. It works like a giant, virtual warehouse for all your data, accessible from anywhere. Snowflake adapts to your needs, scaling its power and cost up or down on demand. This makes it suitable for tasks like analyzing customer trends, building data-driven applications, or sharing data securely with partners. Its strength lies in handling massive datasets with high speed and efficiency.

Strapi

Strapi is a tool that helps developers create and manage content for websites and apps. It's considered "headless", meaning it focuses on the behind-the-scenes content management while giving developers flexibility in how that content looks and works on the front-end. Strapi is popular among developers because it's open-source (free to use and customize) and works well with other tools they might use. Large and small companies use it to streamline their content management processes.

SQL Server 2019

SQL Server 2019 is a database management system developed by Microsoft. It lets you store and manage data, analyze information, and perform business reporting. SQL Server 2019 is designed for businesses of all sizes, and offers high performance and scalability for even the most demanding workloads. Its strengths include data analytics and business intelligence features, making it a good choice for companies wanting to make data-driven decisions.

ReadMe

ReadMe helps you create an interactive and user-friendly website specifically for developers who use your company's technical tools. It takes your existing technical information and makes it easy to understand and navigate. ReadMe offers features like customized branding, usage analytics, and troubleshooting tools to improve how developers experience your products and solve problems efficiently.

Amazon Redshift

Amazon Redshift is a cloud-based data warehouse service designed to help businesses analyze large volumes of data. It offers a cost-effective solution for storing and querying data, with the ability to handle petabytes of information. Redshift integrates with existing business intelligence tools, allowing for seamless data analysis. Its speed and scalability make it suitable for companies of all sizes looking to gain insights from their data.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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