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What are some open-source CMS options that offer dynamic functionalities like Webflow, are suitable for large enterprise sites/web apps, secure, scalable, customizable, and extendable, while also having a visual interface and potentially being whitelabel?

TL;DR
  • Directus offers scalable, secure, open-source data management with a visual admin UI and full white-labeling support.
  • Strapi provides customizable APIs, enterprise features, and a form-based admin panel with optional branding.
  • Payload CMS is a code-first headless CMS with a React admin UI, strong security, and full control over branding.
  • TinaCMS integrates with modern frontends for real-time editing and custom branding via React, ideal for Git-based workflows.
  • Builder.io delivers a Webflow-like drag-and-drop builder with enterprise-grade scalability, but is only partially open source.

You're looking for open-source CMS platforms that provide dynamic functionality, scalability, security, a visual builder, and can be white-labeled—all features that mimic or extend what Webflow offers for large enterprises.

Below are the top solutions that align most closely with your requirements:

1. Directus

  • What it is: An open-source data platform and headless CMS that connects to SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite).
  • Dynamic Content: Dynamic schema control with relational content support.
  • Enterprise-Ready: Scalable infrastructure and RBAC (Role-Based Access Control).
  • Security: Audits, user authentication integrations (OAuth2, SSO), and database-level security.
  • Customization: 100% open-source and highly customizable via hooks and extensions.
  • Visual Interface: Provides an admin app with a UI for managing content and data visually.
  • White-labeling: Branding options are available through config or custom themes.

2. Strapi

  • What it is: A Node.js-based headless CMS for highly customizable projects.
  • Dynamic Functionality: Custom APIs, dynamic user roles, and data relations.
  • Enterprise Features: Enterprise-ready role permissions, audit logs (in EE), and GDPR-ready.
  • Scalable: Built on a modern stack; works with cloud-native and containerized environments.
  • Visual Interface: Has an admin panel, but it's more of a form-based UI than a visual site builder.
  • Custom Branding: Available with enterprise plans or via code customization.

3. Payload CMS

  • What it is: Modern Node.js headless CMS with full code control.
  • Content Modeling: Uses JSON-based configuration to define dynamic schemas, relationships.
  • Security/Scalability: Authentication APIs, RBAC, JWT, and scalable architecture.
  • Visual Admin Panel: React-based admin UI that's user-friendly and extendable.
  • Customization: Entirely code-first and open-source; frontends can include any framework.
  • White-labeling: The admin panel can be themed/customized as needed.

4. TinaCMS

  • What it is: Git-based, React-powered CMS for real-time content editing.
  • Dynamic Content: Works well with structured content and modern frontend frameworks.
  • Visual Interface: Inline editing with live previews using React.
  • Scalability: Works within static site generators (e.g., Next.js), but scales when paired with edge/cloud.
  • Security: Git workflows mean content is versioned and secured inherently.
  • White-label Capable: Since it integrates directly with your frontend, full branding is possible.

5. Builder.io (Partial Open Source)

  • What it is: Visual headless CMS with visual editing (WYSIWYG), dynamic API-driven content.
  • Partially Open-source: Core is proprietary, but some SDKs and tools are open.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Used by large organizations, scalable and secure.
  • Visual Editor: Best-in-class drag-and-drop interface similar to Webflow.
  • White-labeling: Enterprise pricing includes full white-label options.

Summary

For a Webflow-like experience with enterprise-grade features, your top open-source options are:

  • Directus – Best overall for visual data management, scalability, and white-labeling.
  • Strapi – Solid backend with customization and scalability, less visual.
  • Payload CMS – Great for developers wanting full control with a modern visual admin.
  • TinaCMS – Ideal for React/Git workflows and inline editing.
  • Builder.io – Most like Webflow visually but only partially open-source.

Each platform offers a different angle on the Webflow model, so your final choice depends on whether your focus is editor experience, developer flexibility, or infrastructure control.

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