Headless CMS Architecture: Sanity vs Contentful vs Keystatic

Choosing the right headless CMS is critical for enterprise content operations. We break down the three leading options based on real project experience.

What is a Headless CMS?

A headless CMS separates content management from presentation. Content is stored in a structured database and delivered via API to any frontend—web, mobile, IoT, or digital signage.

Contentful: The Enterprise Standard

Strengths

Mature platform with enterprise support

Excellent content modeling

Strong localization features

Comprehensive API documentation

Weaknesses

Expensive at scale ($489+/month for teams)

Complex pricing model

Slower content preview

Best For

Large enterprises with complex content hierarchies and localization requirements.

Sanity: The Developer's Choice

Strengths

Real-time collaboration (Google Docs-style)

GROQ query language is incredibly powerful

Customizable studio interface

Pay-per-use pricing model

Weaknesses

Steeper learning curve

Requires developer setup for studio

Can get expensive with high API usage

Best For

Tech-forward teams building highly customized content experiences.

Keystatic: The Git-Based Option

Strengths

Content stored in your Git repository

Zero hosting costs (self-hosted)

Works with any frontend framework

Version control built-in

Weaknesses

Limited for non-technical editors

No real-time collaboration

Smaller community

Best For

Developer-centric teams who want content as code and full ownership.

Our Recommendation Matrix

Need Help Choosing?

We've implemented all three platforms across dozens of projects. Contact us for a personalized recommendation based on your specific requirements.