Aerostack vs. Headless CMS: A Modern Alternative
If you’re considering Strapi for your next project, you’re likely looking for a powerful Headless CMS. But Strapi comes with significant setup and maintenance overhead. Aerostack provides a ready-made CMS that’s easier to use, zero-setup, and built for speed.
Why Developers Choose Aerostack over Strapi
1. Zero Setup vs. Complex Installation
Strapi: You need to choose a database (PostgreSQL/MySQL), configure a server, handle hosting (Strapi Cloud or self-hosted), and manage upgrades.
Aerostack: Zero setup. Your CMS is ready the moment you create a project. Database, storage, and API are all pre-configured.
2. Built-in Auth & E-commerce
Strapi: You have to install and configure plugins for basic features like advanced authentication or e-commerce.
Aerostack: Core features like Auth, OTP, E-commerce, and Payments are built-in primitives, not after-thoughts.
3. Simpler Relation Management
Strapi: Managing complex relations often requires deep knowledge of their admin UI and API structures.
Aerostack: Our Logic Lab and Relation Picker make connecting collections, components, and logic simple and intuitive.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Strapi CMS | Aerostack CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | npx create-strapi-app + DB Config | None. Instant Project Creation |
| Hosting | Self-hosted or Strapi Cloud ($$) | Globally distributed Edge (Included) |
| Database | You manage (Postgres/MySQL) | Managed, optimized SQL (Included) |
| Auth | Basic (Extensions needed for OTP/Social) | Advanced (OTP, Magic Links, Social built-in) |
| Infrastructure | Manual Worker/Queue setup | sdk.queue, sdk.cache built-in |
| AI Integration | Third-party plugins | Native sdk.ai (30+ models) |
| Logic/Hooks | Lifecycle hooks in code files | Logic Lab (AI-powered UI editor) |
| Time to Live | 2-4 Hours (Setup + Config) | 5 Minutes |
Use Case: Dynamic Landing Pages
The Strapi Way
- Set up Strapi v4 locally.
- Configure PostgreSQL database.
- Define “Landing Page” content type.
- Add “Components” for Hero, Features, Pricing.
- Set up Media Library (S3/Cloudinary provider config).
- Configure API permissions and Public roles.
- Deploy to a server/Vercel and manage the Strapi instance.
The Aerostack Way
- Create a “Landing Page” Collection.
- Add your Fields or use our AI Template.
- Use the Built-in Media Gallery (No config needed).
- Logic Lab: Create a custom API slug for your content in 1 click.
- Deploy instantly to the global edge.
Who is it for?
Strapi is for you if:
- You need deep, custom control over the CMS internals.
- You have a dedicated team to manage CMS infrastructure.
- You are already heavily invested in the Strapi ecosystem.
Aerostack is for you if:
- You want to ship landing pages in minutes, not hours.
- You need a CMS that “just works” with Auth and Payments.
- You value Developer Experience and want AI-powered code generation.
- You want to build SaaS, E-commerce, or Content sites without managing servers.
Summary: Focus on Content, Not Config
Strapi is a great tool, but it’s an infrastructure-first CMS. Aerostack is a Product-First platform.
Skip the wrangler.toml, skip the database provisioning, and skip the plugin installation loop. Describe your content needs to our AI, and let Aerostack handle the rest.
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