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The open-source database management tool Directus has become a subject of heated discussion within the developer community, as users share their experiences with the platform's technical limitations and recent business model changes. While Directus positions itself as a versatile solution for managing SQL databases with real-time API capabilities, community feedback reveals significant challenges in production environments.Technical LimitationsDeveloper experiences highlight several critical issues with Directus's multi-database approach. The platform's attempt to support multiple database backends has led to compromised functionality, particularly for PostgreSQL users. Users report that many advanced PostgreSQL features cannot be utilized due to compatibility requirements with simpler databases like SQLite. Additionally, developers face challenges with GraphQL implementation, including arbitrary limitations and problematic error handling.The eternal red flag of a DB UI that tries to support wildly different backends explains a lot of the problems. Many sane and powerful Postgres features can't be used because Directus also needs to support SQLite.Current Pricing Structure:Free tier: Organizations < USD 5M revenue/fundingCloud hosting: USD 500/month for 10 users, 250K rows, 1M API requestsEnterprise self-hosted: Custom pricing (contact sales)Supported Databases:PostgreSQLMySQLSQLiteOracleDBCockroachDBMariaDBMS-SQLPerformance and Development ChallengesUsers working with complex extensions report significant performance issues, with build times reaching up to two minutes even on powerful hardware like the M3 Pro MacBook. The platform's Flow system, designed for workflow automation, has been criticized for being difficult to debug and develop with. Several users also noted problems with TypeScript support and null handling, which can impact development efficiency and code reliability.License ControversyA major point of contention is Directus's shift from a traditional open-source model to a Business Source License (BSL) 1.1. While the platform remains free for organizations with less than USD 5 million in annual revenue/funding, larger organizations must now obtain a commercial license. This change has particularly affected educational institutions and larger organizations, with some users reporting aggressive licensing enforcement and lack of pricing transparency for self-hosted solutions.Pricing ChangesThe platform has significantly adjusted its pricing structure, with cloud-hosted solutions increasing from USD 25/month unlimited to USD 500/month for a limited plan of 10 users, 250,000 rows, and 1 million API requests. The self-hosted pricing for organizations above the revenue threshold now requires contacting sales, creating uncertainty for growing businesses.Despite these challenges, some users report positive experiences with Directus, particularly in smaller-scale implementations and content management scenarios. The platform appears to work best with clean, simple data models and may still serve as an effective solution for organizations operating within its free-tier limitations.Reference: Directus: A Real-time API and App Dashboard for Managing SQL Database Content