Top 10 Sanity Alternatives (2025)

• See how Sanity’s user numbers stack up against competitors in The State of CMS 2025 (opens in a new window)
• Try Storyblok for free today (opens in a new window)

Sanity is a popular headless CMS that comes with a JavaScript-customizable, open-source editing environment. But ironically, Sanity has a reputation for driving some users crazy: a steep learning curve, underwhelming documentation, and upgrade challenges can lead to the search for a Sanity alternative.

The good news is that you have plenty of strong options. Let’s take a look at the top 10 Sanity alternatives for 2025.

1. Storyblok

Storyblok is the premier headless CMS for creating content experiences that connect with your audience – and convert them, too. Part of this comes from the intuitive ease of use offered by the true Visual Editor. Want to change a certain page element? Just point and click. Plus, with the responsive real-time preview, you’ll know exactly what your changes look like before they go live, not after.

Need a Sanity alternative with flexibility? Storyblok has that, too. Thanks to the composable architecture (opens in a new window), you get built-in adaptability. It’s a win-win-win: devs can use any technology they want, marketers can easily push content to any channel, and customers get digital experiences they can’t get anywhere else.

In addition to an industry-leading 582% ROI (opens in a new window), Storyblok also offers a faster time to value than the competition. Add functionality in a snap with the expansive app ecosystem (opens in a new window), or find the perfect expert insight through the partner program (opens in a new window).Throw in the thriving Storyblok community (opens in a new window) and robust documentation (opens in a new window), and you’re on the fast track to content that converts.

But the thing that really sets Storyblok apart as the leading Sanity alternative? Independent research confirms that Storyblok is a joy to use (opens in a new window). And sources from across the web support that same conclusion:

• Over 50 G2 awards (opens in a new window), including (but not limited to!): Best Relationship, Best Usability, Best Support, and Leader (Enterprise).
• An average of 4.5 stars on Gartner (opens in a new window)
• A track record of supporting thriving companies like Netflix, Adidas, Oatly, and more (check out our case studies (opens in a new window) for detailed examples of companies dominating with Storyblok!)

2. WordPress

A household name with a global user base, WordPress is a popular monolithic Sanity alternative. Small, simple companies often appreciate the simple interface and lack of complex bells and whistles. However, keep in mind that there are consequences to that kind of minimalism: users find it difficult to serve content at scale with WordPress, especially when it comes to providing highly technical experiences.

3. Joomla

If you’re looking for a Sanity alternative that keeps the open-source construction and offers better customization, Joomla’s probably made your short list. Its multilingual experiences have also been a draw for growth-minded users. Unfortunately, thanks to its lack of modern APIs and dev tools, they’ll find there’s a natural ceiling on how much they can truly expand with Joomla.

4. Drupal

Another strong open-source option is Drupal. With a flexible approach and a dedicated community, Drupal offers “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” editing that can make it slightly more intuitive for non-technical users. On the other hand, it doesn’t offer a real-time visual preview to go with it. Make sure that your non-tech teams can handle the challenge before you commit.

5. Acquia DXP

If you’re a Drupal fan, you’ll be happy to hear that our next option is based on it. Acquia DXP is an open-source Digital Experience Platform (DXP) that specializes in customer experiences at scale. You might also enjoy the close connection to its data platform. Unfortunately, it comes at a price. Many users report a steep learning curve – and conquering it often requires teams to be fluent in Drupal. If you don’t have that expertise in-house, be sure to carve out plenty of extra time for basic customization and maintenance.

6. Adobe Experience Manager

For another Sanity alternative that’s a household name, let’s turn to Adobe Experience Manager (AEM). An enterprise-level content management solution, it has become a popular option for those seeking digital experience capabilities. And if you like all the other options in the Adobe ecosystem, the good news is that they’ll integrate seamlessly into your tech stack. But there are downsides to this close connection, too: you’ll be at risk of costly and limiting vendor lock-in. If you’re not ready to commit to a mostly Adobe setup, AEM might not be the right choice for you.

7. Sitecore XM

Sitecore XM is well-known for its personalization capabilities. With strengths in managing complex workflows and delivering content across multiple channels, it’s a particularly strong Sanity alternative for those juggling a multi-site setup. Unfortunately, it has a strong impact on your budget, too: users report dealing with high licensing and infrastructure costs. The infamously steep learning curve can be intimidating as well, so you may want a .NET development expert on call if you opt for Sitecore XM.

8. Optimizely One

Experimentation can bring the best out of any content plan. Thanks to Optimizely’s A/B testing capabilities, many users feel it provides a creative way to craft personalized digital experiences. But being feature-heavy also means the platform is quite complex, leading to tricky and slow implementation. If you have a need for speed, it’s probably worth investigating other Sanity alternatives.

9. Contentstack (opens in a new window)

With an expansive extension marketplace, Contentstack often comes up as a Sanity alternative for those who want a lot of customization options. It also offers an established partnership program for easy access to CMS pros (opens in a new window). Unfortunately, though, all of this comes at the cost of a steep learning curve for most, so be sure to factor in extra training resources if you opt for Contentstack.

10. Contentful (opens in a new window)

Contentful made a name for itself as one of the earliest entrants into the headless CMS space. Users around the world praise its various integrations and omnichannel publishing capabilities. Nevertheless, it’s not a universal solution: large-scale organizations in particular may want to thoroughly investigate the complicated pricing structure and content type limits before they make up their mind.

Conclusion: What’s the best Sanity alternative?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. As the old idiom goes, “The same water that softens the potato hardens the egg.” Or, put less poetically, everyone has different needs and will thrive under different conditions.

The best way to find the ideal Sanity alternative for you is to search with your goals in mind. Not a competitor’s, not what you’ve seen floating around on LinkedIn – yours. Focusing on arming your team with what they need is the most direct route to success.