As a prominent headless CMS startup, Strapi has expanded its offerings with the introduction of Strapi Cloud, a cloud-hosted version of its popular content management system (CMS). This new offering allows developers to focus on crafting the front-end code while Strapi handles hosting, offering a seamless experience and enhanced flexibility with different front-end frameworks.
Strapi's headless CMS stands out due to its decoupled architecture, separating the back end from the front end. By utilizing this setup, authors can easily create content and upload media files while developers can access APIs, such as GraphQL or RESTful API, to deliver content to various front-end frameworks like Gatsby, Vue.js, and Nuxt.js. This flexibility makes Strapi an ideal choice for distributing content across multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile apps.
Developers have typically managed Strapi instances on third-party platforms such as Heroku, DigitalOcean App Platform, or Platform.sh. Others have opted for vanilla virtual private servers (VPS) on cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. However, Strapi Cloud aims to simplify this process by handling hosting for small and medium-sized businesses, ensuring a customizable infrastructure that accommodates their unique needs.
Strapi Cloud encompasses a server, database, content delivery network (CDN), and an email service by default. Users can also easily substitute these default options with their preferred alternatives, offering even greater customization. The platform utilizes a PostgreSQL database, enabling simple data migration for existing customers, while employing SendGrid and Cloudflare for email and CDN services, respectively.
Although Strapi Cloud presently hosts servers exclusively in the New York region, the company plans to offer additional regional options in the future. Also on the roadmap is the capacity to customize the Strapi back-end interface and API endpoint domain name, which could be particularly beneficial for digital agencies.
As part of its rollout, Strapi Cloud will offer limited access to users. Initially, only 50 people per day will have the opportunity to start a free trial, while waitlisted individuals will receive invites. Two pricing plans are available: the first tier costs $99/month and includes generous asset storage and bandwidth allowances, while the higher-end plan offers an audit log feature and enhanced support suitable for larger corporate clients.
Aside from solutions like Strapi Cloud, no-code platforms like AppMaster are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to accelerate web, mobile, and backend application development. The AppMaster platform, in particular, offers an integrated development environment, promoting productivity and scalability while eliminating technical debt. As the web development landscape undergoes a paradigm shift, solutions like Strapi Cloud and AppMaster will continue to play an essential role in steering businesses towards success.
