Best CMS for Next.js

Next.js is a popular JavaScript framework that is used to build web applications and websites. It offers a range of features and tools that make it easy for developers to create fast, modern, and scalable applications.

When it comes to managing and organizing content for a Next.js application, choosing the right Content management system (CMS) is crucial. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best CMS options for Next.js and how they can help you build and maintain a successful web project. From headless CMS platforms to open-source solutions, there are a variety of options available to suit different needs and budgets. We’ll take a look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of each CMS to help you make an informed decision.

Here are the most popular choices:

1. Suncel – Our top pick, amazing CMS for any Next.js project.
2. Contentful: A cloud-based headless CMS that allows developers to build custom applications using its API.
3. Strapi: An open-source headless CMS that can be easily integrated with Next.js.
4. Ghost: A simple, open-source blogging platform that can be used as a headless CMS.
5. Netlify CMS: An open-source CMS that is designed to work with static site generators like Next.js.
6. KeystoneJS: A powerful, open-source CMS that is built on top of the Express.js framework and can be easily integrated with Next.js.

Suncel

Suncel is a CMS that is on the rise. It is only dedicated to Next.js applications but can be easily plugged into an existing Next.js application.

This CMS requires a dev during the setup, but it is then usable by a content editor without any technical complexity.

Suncel is particularly adapted for websites that want to produce a lot of content, quickly with excellent indexation and a very good score for their core web vitals.

The CMS also has an SEO module that allows you to quickly edit your META, META OG, and structured data for SEO.To produce content, the CMS is also equipped with block templates with pre-filled content.

From the developers’ point of view, there are also many advantages:
– simple integration on a Next.js app
– construction of Blocks which are then infinitely reusable by content editors
– possibility to create page templates (predefined suite of Blocks)
– automatic sitemap management
– customizable settings for each Block
– Admin customizable in React
– No routing system is needed to fit the CMS

Contentful

Contentful is a cloud-based headless CMS that is often considered one of the best options for Next.js projects. There are several reasons why Contentful is highly regarded in the development community:

1. Flexibility: Contentful allows developers to create custom content models, so they can structure their data in a way that makes sense for their application. This makes it easy to create and manage complex content structures.
2. Scalability: Contentful is built to scale with your project, so you don’t have to worry about performance issues as your application grows.
3. Integration: Contentful has a robust API and wide range of integrations, making it easy to connect to other tools and services.
4. User experience: Contentful has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for content creators to manage and publish content.
5. Strong community: Contentful has a large and active community of developers, which means there are plenty of resources and support available for users.

Overall, Contentful is a powerful and flexible CMS that is well-suited for Next.js projects of all sizes.

Strapi

Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that is often used with Next.js projects. Some of the key features and benefits of Strapi include:

1. Ease of use: Strapi has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for developers to create and manage their content.
2. Customization: Strapi allows developers to create custom content types and fields, which gives them more control over their data and how it is structured.
3. Performance: Strapi is built to be fast and efficient, so it can handle large amounts of content without slowing down.
4. Integration: Strapi has a powerful API and supports a range of integrations, making it easy to connect to other tools and services.
5. Scalability: Strapi can handle large amounts of traffic and is designed to scale with your project as it grows.

Overall, Strapi is a popular choice for developers looking for an open-source CMS that is easy to use and customize, and that can handle the demands of a growing project.

Ghost

Ghost is an open-source blogging platform that is often used as a headless CMS for Next.js projects. Some of the key features and benefits of Ghost include:

1. Simplicity: Ghost is designed to be a simple and lightweight platform that is easy to use and maintain.
2. Customization: Ghost allows developers to customize the look and feel of their site through themes and templates, and it also supports custom integrations and functionality through its API.
3. Performance: Ghost is built to be fast and efficient, so it can handle large amounts of content and traffic without slowing down.
4. User experience: Ghost has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for content creators to manage and publish content.
5. Security: Ghost is focused on security and privacy, and it is regularly updated with the latest security patches and features.

Overall, Ghost is a good choice for developers looking for a simple, lightweight CMS that is easy to use and customize, and that is built with performance and security in mind.

Netlify CMS

Netlify CMS is an open-source content management system that is designed to work with static site generators like Next.js. Some of the key features and benefits of Netlify CMS include:

1. Ease of use: Netlify CMS has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for content creators to manage and publish content.
2. Integration: Netlify CMS is designed to work seamlessly with static site generators like Next.js, and it can be easily integrated into an existing Next.js project.
3. Customization: Netlify CMS allows developers to create custom content types and fields, giving them more control over their data and how it is structured.
4. Performance: Netlify CMS is built to be fast and efficient, so it can handle large amounts of content without slowing down.
5. Security: Netlify CMS is regularly updated with the latest security patches and features, making it a secure choice for managing content.

Overall, Netlify CMS is a good choice for developers looking for an easy-to-use, open-source CMS that is designed to work with static site generators like Next.js.

KeystoneJS

KeystoneJS is an open-source content management system that is built on top of the Express.js framework and can be easily integrated with Next.js. Some of the key features and benefits of KeystoneJS include:

1. Scalability: KeystoneJS is built to handle large amounts of content and traffic, and it is designed to scale with your project as it grows.
2. Customization: KeystoneJS allows developers to create custom content types and fields, giving them more control over their data and how it is structured.
3. Integration: KeystoneJS has a powerful API and supports a range of integrations, making it easy to connect to other tools and services.
4. User experience: KeystoneJS has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for content creators to manage and publish content.
5. Security: KeystoneJS is regularly updated with the latest security patches and features, making it a secure choice for managing content.

Overall, KeystoneJS is a powerful and flexible CMS that is well-suited for Next.js projects of all sizes. It offers a range of features and tools that make it easy for developers to create and manage complex content structures, and it is built to handle the demands of a growing project.

Is WordPress a good cms for next js?

WordPress is a popular content management system that is used by millions of websites around the world. It is generally not considered to be the best choice for use with Next.js, however, as it is not optimized for building modern web applications and does not natively support server-side rendering.

Next.js is a JavaScript framework that is designed for building fast, scalable, and modern web applications, and it is optimized for server-side rendering and performance. As such, it is generally better suited to work with headless CMS platforms like Contentful, Strapi, Ghost, Netlify CMS, or KeystoneJS, which are designed to provide content and data to be consumed by other applications.

That being said, it is possible to use WordPress as a headless CMS with Next.js by using the WordPress REST API to retrieve data and content from a WordPress site. However, this approach may require more development effort and may not offer the same level of performance and scalability as using a native headless CMS.