Gentics Mesh
Gentics Mesh is an open-source, API-first CMS for managing and serving content through HTTP APIs.
What Gentics Mesh is
Gentics Mesh is an open-source, API-first CMS for managing and serving content through HTTP APIs. It provides REST and GraphQL APIs, although GraphQL operations are currently read-only. Content can be arranged in hierarchical trees that support generated navigation menus, breadcrumbs and URLs. The REST API supports multilingual content, and the system includes user and permission management, content preview and search with Elasticsearch. It can resize or crop PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP images; GraphQL filtering can also work without Elasticsearch. Authentication choices include login, API tokens, OAuth2 and anonymous access, while the APIs use Gentics Mesh authentication and passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes. Deployment documentation covers Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd. MariaDB is the default relational database; premium connectors support Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+. The open-source edition is free under Apache 2.0. Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a license, and premium features are licensed independently. A 12-month premium subscription includes updates and product maintenance for 12 months.
Good
- Open-source edition is free
- REST API supports multilingual content
- Content trees can generate navigation and URLs
- Supports image resizing or cropping
- Deployment options include Docker and Linux systemd
Watch out
- GraphQL currently supports read-only operations
- MariaDB is the default relational database
- Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a license
- Dedicated support requires a Professional Service contract
Who it suits
Gentics Mesh is aimed at developers building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices or digital signage. It may suit teams looking for an open-source headless CMS with multilingual content and API-based access.
Verdict
Gentics Mesh offers an open-source CMS with REST and GraphQL interfaces and deployment options for different environments. Check the GraphQL read-only limit and licensing requirements for premium features before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Gentics Mesh's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source edition | Free | Apache 2.0 licensed; available as open-source software |
| Premium features | Priced on request | Commercial plugins and extended SQL storage require a valid Gentics license · Each feature is licensed independently; a 12 month subscription includes updates and product maintenance for 12 months. |
The facts
Each one read from Gentics Mesh's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- APIs
- The product provides REST and GraphQL APIs; the GraphQL API currently supports read-only operations.checked 11 Oct 2026
- API types
- bothchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Asset transformations
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Authentication options
- Authentication options include login, API tokens, OAuth2 and anonymous access.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Content features
- Content can be organized in hierarchical trees that support automatically generated navigation menus, breadcrumbs and URLs.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Content localization
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Content preview
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Database support
- MariaDB is the default relational database; premium database connectors support Microsoft SQL Server 2019+, Oracle 19+ and PostgreSQL 14.4+.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The documentation describes Docker, AWS Elastic Container Service and Linux systemd deployment options.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The product supports OAuth2/OIDC authentication, and a premium Keycloak plugin adds Keycloak or Red Hat SSO integration support.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Gentics Mesh as an open-source headless CMS for developers and positions it for building websites, IoT applications, mobile apps, smart devices and digital signage.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Languages and permissions
- The REST API supports multilingual content, and the product provides user and permission management.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Maintenance
- Long-term support releases are available to Product Maintenance subscribers and contain bug fixes and security updates without new features.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Media
- The product supports file uploads and image resizing or cropping for PNG, JPEG, BMP, GIF and WebP images.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Gentics Mesh is a headless or API-first CMS that provides HTTP APIs for accessing and managing content.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Role permissions
- customchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Search
- Gentics Mesh provides content search with Elasticsearch; GraphQL filtering can also be used independently of Elasticsearch.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- User passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes, and the REST and GraphQL APIs use Gentics Mesh authentication.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Customers with a Professional Service contract can access a dedicated support system and report issues by phone; community users can use Gitter, Stack Overflow and GitHub.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Vienna, Austria and Bern, Switzerlandchecked 28 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Gentics Mesh
- 1
CrafterCMS
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS9.0Free plan - 2
Enonic XP
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted8.8$990 usage-based - 3
Prismic
Free planWebAPI8.3Free plan - 4
ButterCMS
Free planAndroidiOSWeb8.3From $71 a month - 5
Contentstack
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.3From $29 a month - 6
Sanity
Free planWeb7.9From $15 a month