More than Headless

Acquia gives you everything you need to build a modern headless or hybrid application. Your Drupal back end can power one or more front ends.

You choose the technology and architecture that’s right for you.

Request a Demo Today

The Principles of Successful Modern Web Apps
API-First, Not API-Only

The Best of All Worlds, All in One Place.

Unlike other CMS providers, we believe that all approaches are valid. Built for the modern web, Acquia gives you freedom.

Headless CMS

A headless CMS provides content via API endpoints. Leading the CMS space, Drupal has best-in-class API capabilities and delivers structured content through core web services.

JSON:API and GraphQL
NodeJS hosting
Developer freedom
Cutting edge tools
Power apps and IoT

Image
Headless CMS Diagram
Hybrid CMS

A hybrid CMS provides API access to content for developers and low-code tools for business users. Powerful content management with an intuitive page builder, the freedom to embed decoupled components, and content served via APIs.

Low-code tools
 CMS hosting
Code and configuration
Progressive components
Turn key PWA

Image
Hybrid CMS Diagram

Use Your Favorite Technology

Image
Dries

 

 

Image
Blue quote marks

With over a decade of support for decoupled architectures, Drupal has become a go-to tool for building applications.

Dries Buytaert
CTO of Acquia & Creator of Drupal
Get on the Same Page

Resources for the Whole Team

Acquia provides e-books about headless and hybrid CMSs created specifically for different parts of the organization. A common understanding of terms and capabilities makes it easier to get cross-team alignment.

developers around a monitor
An external website photo for Supply & Demand Chain Executive - 4/11/2020
content marketer posting content
developers around a monitor
Developers

A technical discussion about the pros and cons of unified and decoupled architectures, the difference between headless and decoupled, and how to decide on a CMS approach for your organization

An external website photo for Supply & Demand Chain Executive - 4/11/2020
Business Leaders

A strategic look at the difference between traditional, headless, and hybrid CMS, considerations for determining the best option for your organization, and best practices for decoupled architectures.

content marketer posting content
Marketers

A marketer-friendly guide with definitions of the different types of CMSs available, questions to consider when evaluating CMS options, and the benefits of taking a hybrid approach to content management.

An Industry Leader
Feature Comparison

Every headless CMS has APIs, content modeling, SDKs, and commercial support it's table stakes for any modern system today. Look a bit deeper and the differences become much clearer.

Feature Acquia Contentful Contentstack
NodeJS hosting
Build your applications in one place. Avoid piecemeal services, multiple logins, and a complicated procurement process for your applications.
🔵🔵🔵
⚪⚪⚪
⚪⚪⚪
Global data centers
Build, deploy, and host your applications where they need to live. Serve your entire team and customers across the world.
🔵🔵🔵
⚪⚪⚪
⚪⚪⚪
Full API support
Custom REST, JSON:API, and GraphQL support. Don't get stuck without options.
🔵🔵🔵
⚫⚫⚪
⚫⚪⚪
CLI tools
Modern developers need CLI tools for both the application and the platform.
🔵🔵🔵
⚫⚫⚪
⚫⚪⚪
Modular plugin system
Your application is as unique as you are. Extensibility of function and process is a critical capability.
🔵🔵🔵
⚪⚪⚪
⚫⚪⚪
Configurable UI
Adapt the UX to fit your team, not the other way around.
🔵🔵🔵
⚫⚫⚪
⚪⚪⚪
Advanced taxonomy
Creating content is easy – organizing it is not. You need an advanced taxonomy system to power organic organization that evolves as your content repository grows.
🔵🔵🔵
⚫⚪⚪
⚫⚪⚪
Unlimited users, roles, and languages
Don't pay extra for more users or languages. Get unlimited access to do what you need across your entire team.
🔵🔵🔵
⚪⚪⚪
⚪⚪⚪
Bulk imports and exports
Get your data in and back out again. Don't let your content be held hostage.
🔵🔵🔵
⚫⚪⚪
⚫⚫⚪
Low-code tools
Structured data is necessary, but not sufficient. Give your business users the self-service tools they need.
🔵🔵🔵
⚪⚪⚪
⚪⚪⚪
Open source
True freedom and flexibility coupled with the best security, from a community that's millions strong.
🔵🔵🔵
⚪⚪⚪
⚪⚪⚪