A Strapi alternative that’s API-first

Strapi is CMS-first. Apito is API-first with content support — one API layer for your app and your content.

Create your first API →View example API

How it works

DB → Apito Engine → API → Client

Your database stays the source of truth. Apito reads your schema and exposes it as GraphQL and REST. Clients call the API; Apito translates and runs queries against your DB.

You connect your existing database. Apito does not own or migrate your data. It generates types, queries, and mutations from your schema so you get a working API without writing resolver or REST boilerplate.

Why not Strapi?

Strapi is great — if you want a CMS-first product with a heavy admin and opinionated content model. Apito exists for teams that want content as data and one API for both content and app backend. Developers get full control; no CMS lock-in.

  • Strapi: CMS-first, admin-heavy. Apito: API-first, minimal admin.
  • Strapi: Node/JS stack. Apito: Golang engine, any DB.
  • Strapi: content-centric. Apito: one API for content and app data.

Use cases

  • Headless CMS without Strapi’s admin and plugin overhead.
  • Unified API for content and transactional data.
  • Teams that prefer API-first over CMS-first.

Bring your own DB

MySQL → GraphQL API in 5 minutes

Connect MySQL, get a full GraphQL API with queries and mutations. No code.

MongoDB → REST API in minutes

Point Apito at MongoDB; REST endpoints and optional GraphQL are generated automatically.

Existing production DB → no migration

Use your current database as-is. Apito connects read-only or read-write; no schema takeover.

FAQ

How is Apito different from Strapi?
Strapi is CMS-first: admin UI and content model lead. Apito is API-first: you get GraphQL and REST for content (and the rest of your app) from day one. Both can power headless content; Apito stays lean and dev-focused.
Can I use Apito only for content?
Yes. Use it as a headless CMS — content as data, queryable via API. You can also mix content with other data in the same API.
Do I need to migrate from Strapi?
You can run Apito alongside or replace Strapi when you want a single API layer for content and app data. Apito connects to your DB; no forced Strapi migration path.
Create your first API →