Dumebi Okolo

Posted on Jan 26

Top 5 Headless CMS to Build a Blog in 2026

#typescript #beginners #webdev #writing

After doing a lot of research as a technical writer, I have found the top 5 CMS for blogging. Whether you are trying to build a personalwriting repository or you are a full-fledged publication with more complex subscription needs, this article is for you!

When I first got into personal blogging, creating The Handy Developer's Guide, I used WordPress, choose a theme, did some customizations as best as my plan let me and that was it.
Though my experience might be different from someone else's, I didn't have the best time using WordPress. One of the problems I had using WordPress was the lack of broader customization as a premium tier subscriber. If you had ever visited my blog back then, you'd know that the frontend was a cry for help. The backend was solid though.
I am revisiting blogging again in 2026, and after a lot of research, I curated this list. This is a product of research and personal preference.

What is a Headless CMS?

A headless Content Management System (CMS) is a backend-only system where the content repository (the "body") is separated from the presentation layer/frontend (the "head").

Unlike a traditional CMS like WordPress, which dictates how content looks on a website through built-in templates, a headless CMS only stores and manages raw content. This content is then delivered to any device ( a website, mobile app, or smartwatch) via an Application Programming Interface (API).

Difference Between a Headed (Monolithic) CMS and a Headless CMS

Feature	Headed (Monolithic) CMS	Headless CMS
User Interface	Pre-built templates and themes	Build your own using React, Vue, Swift, etc.
Control	Marketers can drag-and-drop easily	Developers have full control over the codebase
Channels	Mostly limited to websites	Omnichannel delivery: web, mobile apps, IoT, digital displays
Scalability	Harder; frontend and backend scale together	Easier; frontend and backend scale independently
Security	Larger attack surface due to direct database exposure	Smaller attack surface with API-only access

What Makes a Headless CMS Great for Blogging in 2026?

Flexible Content Modeling: You define your own post types, relationships, and reusable blocks. Schema evolves with your needs.
API Power: REST, GraphQL, or something more? It to fetch exactly the data you need, without over-fetching or under-fetching, REST, GraphQL, GROQ and so on.
TypeScript and SDK Quality: SDKs with type safety, codegen, and auto-completion.
Editor Experience: Intuitive UI for non-developers. Preview changes, collaborate in real time, and avoid constraints.
Performance and Caching: The CMS play nicely with CDNs, static site generators, and incremental static regeneration, with fast content propagation.
Authentication and Access Control: Lock down drafts, manage roles, and integrate with SSO or OAuth.
Migration and Portability: Import/export data effortlessly.

With that in mind, let’s meet my top five.

1. Sanity: The Developer-First Content Operating System

I am currently using Sanity to build out my blog this 2026.
Sanity is the CMS for teams who treat content as data, not just text. It’s opinionated. If you want to model your content in code, build custom editorial interfaces, and automate workflows with AI, Sanity positions itself as a content operating system, not just a CMS.

For marketers, Sanity offers a customizable Studio UI, real-time collaboration, and visual editing with live previews. For developers, it’s a schema-as-code playground with TypeScript support, and fast APIs. It has a plugin system that lets you build exactly what your team needs.

ps, this isnt my dashboard. mine is not nearly as full, but I needed something to show the full effect.

Features of Sanity CMS

Schema-as-Code and Content Lake

Sanity’s core innovation is its “Content Lake”: a real-time, globally distributed datastore where content is stored as structured JSON documents. You define your content schema in JavaScript or TypeScript, version it in Git, and deploy changes like any other codebase. This means you can evolve your content model without downtime or risky migrations.

Query Language: GROQ (and GraphQL)

Sanity’s primary query language is GROQ (Graph-Relational Object Queries), a powerful, declarative language designed for content trees and references. GROQ lets you fetch exactly the shape of data you need, with projections, filters, and joins, all in a single request. For teams who prefer GraphQL, Sanity can auto-generate a GraphQL API from your schema, though some advanced features (like inline objects) may require tweaks.

API Performance and Caching

Sanity’s APIs are fast—think 32ms response times and 500+ concurrent queries per project. The Live CDN ensures content updates propagate globally within 60 seconds, and when paired with frameworks like Next.js or Gatsby, you get near-instant cache invalidation and incremental static regeneration (ISR) for static-speed performance with real-time freshness.

TypeScript and SDK Quality

Sanity’s SDKs are robust, with TypeScript support, codegen for schemas, and CLI tools for migrations and local development. You can generate types from your schema, get auto-completion in your IDE, and even use AI agents to scaffold new content models.

Studio Customization and Plugins

Sanity Studio is a fully customizable React app. Developers can build custom input components, document views, and tools (like SEO analyzers or campaign trackers) that integrate natively into the editor UI. Visual editing lets marketers preview and edit content directly on the live site, with drag-and-drop layouts and click-to-edit functionality.

Authentication, Roles, and Access Control

Sanity supports granular roles (Viewer, Contributor, Editor, Developer, Admin) and custom roles on enterprise plans. SSO integration (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace) is available for larger teams, and access can be scoped down to datasets or even individual documents.

Migration and Import/Export

Sanity provides CLI tools and migration guides for moving from legacy CMSs (like WordPress or Drupal) to structured content. You can script migrations, map fields, and transform HTML blobs into Portable Text (Sanity’s rich text format).

Security and Compliance

Sanity is SOC2 Type 2 certified, GDPR compliant, and offers EU data residency. Daily backups and audit logs are available on enterprise plans. Note: HIPAA and ISO certifications are inherited from Google Cloud Platform, not held directly.

2. Contentful: The Enterprise Digital Experience Platform

Contentful is the “safe” choice for enterprises. It’s a mature, cloud-based platform with robust APIs, a polished UI, and a massive ecosystem of integrations. You get structured content, localization, analytics, and personalization tools out of the box. Contentful is designed for global teams managing complex, multi-language, multi-channel content.

For marketers, Contentful offers a user-friendly editor, localization workflows, and built-in analytics. For developers, it provides REST and GraphQL APIs, SDKs for every major language, and a stable, scalable infrastructure.

Features of Contentful

Content Modeling and API-First Design

Contentful lets you define custom content types (e.g., BlogPost, Author, Category) via a web UI or API. Each type has fields (text, media, references), and you can model relationships between entries. The API-first approach means every piece of content is accessible via REST or GraphQL endpoints, making it easy to power websites, apps, and more.

Query Languages: REST and GraphQL

Contentful supports both REST and GraphQL APIs. The REST API is stable, cache-friendly, and widely supported. The GraphQL API allows you to fetch exactly the fields you need, reducing over-fetching and improving performance for complex frontends.

TypeScript and SDK Quality

Contentful’s JavaScript SDK is now written in TypeScript, providing strong type safety, auto-completion, and codegen for your content models. You can generate TypeScript types from your schema, get autosuggestions for queries, and chain client modifiers for localization and link resolution.

Localization and Personalization

Contentful excels at localization: you can manage content in dozens of languages, with field-level translations and fallback strategies. The platform also supports personalization experiments, letting you A/B test content variants and track performance with built-in analytics.

Caching, CDN, and Performance

Contentful uses a global CDN to deliver content with low latency. API responses are cacheable, and you can use webhooks to trigger static site rebuilds or incremental static regeneration (ISR) in frameworks like Next.js. Asset delivery (images, files) is optimized via a dedicated asset API.

Authentication, Roles, and Access Control

Contentful offers granular roles and permissions, SSO integration, and API tokens for secure access. You can control who can edit, publish, or view content at the space or environment level.

Ecosystem and Integrations

Contentful’s App Framework and Marketplace provide hundreds of integrations: e-commerce, analytics, marketing automation, and more. Webhooks and APIs make it easy to connect to CI/CD pipelines, static site generators, or custom workflows.

Migration and Import/Export

Contentful provides CLI tools for importing/exporting content, migrating schemas, and syncing environments. However, some users report friction when evolving content models at scale, due to rigid entry-reference structures and API rate limits.

Security and Compliance

Contentful is enterprise-ready: SOC2, GDPR, and ISO 27001 certified, with audit logs, SSO, and data residency options. Enterprise plans offer dedicated infrastructure and SLAs.

3. Strapi: The Open-Source, Self-Hosted Powerhouse

Strapi is the CMS for developers who want total control. It’s open-source, built on Node.js, and can be self-hosted anywhere: from your laptop to AWS, DigitalOcean, or Strapi Cloud. You get a slick admin UI, auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs, and a thriving plugin ecosystem.

For marketers, Strapi offers a user-friendly editor and customizable workflows. For developers, it’s a playground for custom APIs, plugins, and integrations, with no vendor lock-in.

Features of Strapi

Content Modeling and API Generation

Strapi lets you define content types (e.g., Article, Author, Tag) via a visual builder or code. Each type becomes an auto-generated REST and/or GraphQL endpoint, complete with CRUD operations. You can customize controllers, services, and routes as needed.

Query Languages: REST and GraphQL

By default, Strapi exposes REST APIs for every content type. The optional GraphQL plugin adds a powerful Apollo-based endpoint, with schema auto-generation, custom resolvers, and a built-in playground for testing queries and mutations.

TypeScript and SDK Quality

Strapi’s core is now TypeScript-friendly, with type definitions, codegen, and strong typing for plugins and customizations. The community maintains SDKs for JavaScript, TypeScript, and popular frontend frameworks.

Authentication, Roles, and Access Control

Strapi ships with robust role-based access control (RBAC), JWT authentication, and support for social logins (Google, Facebook, etc.). You can define granular permissions for public, authenticated, and custom roles, and integrate with external identity providers.

Plugin Ecosystem and Extensibility

Strapi’s plugin system is a major strength: over 350 plugins cover everything from SEO and image optimization to custom fields, webhooks, and integrations. You can build your own plugins or extend the admin UI with React components.

Deployment and Hosting

Strapi can be self-hosted on any Node.js-compatible environment, or deployed to Strapi Cloud for managed hosting. You control the database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, SQLite), asset storage, and infrastructure. This means you’re responsible for scaling, backups, and security, but also free from SaaS constraints.

Caching, CDN, and Performance

Performance depends on your hosting setup. Strapi supports CDN integration for assets, reverse proxies (NGINX, Traefik), and Redis or in-memory caching for APIs. Strapi Cloud includes a global CDN and DDoS protection on paid plans.

Migration and Import/Export

Strapi provides CLI tools for migrating content, syncing environments, and exporting/importing data. You can script migrations, seed databases, and automate schema changes as part of your CI/CD pipeline.

Security and Compliance

Strapi is SOC2 and GDPR compliant, with regular security audits and a transparent open-source codebase. You’re responsible for patching, SSL, and compliance when self-hosting.

4. Ghost: The Writer’s Blogging Platform, Now Headless

I was unable to get far with exploring Ghost.
To "Get Started" on Ghost, you have to create an account and verify you are human by adding your bank details.
In this Comparison article with substack, the Ghost said it supported 135 global currencies and accepted all international payment methods. Unfortunately (?), the Nigerian Naira isn't on the list. (we meuveee).

This is a purely research-based piece on Ghost.

Ghost started as a minimalist, open-source blogging platform, and in 2026, it’s evolved into a modern, headless CMS with a focus on publishing, newsletters, and paid memberships. Ghost is beloved by writers, journalists, and indie publishers who want speed, SEO, and full control without the plugin sprawl of WordPress or the lock-in of Substack (there's an entire article about this!).

For marketers, Ghost offers a clean editor, built-in SEO, and audience growth tools. For developers, it provides a RESTful Content API, webhooks, and the option to self-host or use Ghost(Pro) for managed hosting.

Features of Ghost CMS

Content Modeling and API

Ghost’s content model is opinionated: you get Posts, Pages, Tags, Authors, and Members (for subscriptions). It’s not as flexible as Sanity or Strapi, but it’s perfect for blogs, newsletters, and publications. The RESTful Content API delivers published content in JSON, with endpoints for posts, pages, tags, authors, and settings.

Editor Experience

Ghost’s Koenig editor is Markdown-first, with support for rich embeds, images, and custom cards. The UI is distraction-free, fast, and optimized for writing flow. Memberships, comments, and newsletters are built in, no plugins required.

TypeScript and SDK Quality

Ghost’s JavaScript SDK wraps the REST API, making it easy to fetch content from any frontend (Next.js, SvelteKit, etc.). TypeScript support is solid, with type definitions and codegen for API responses.

Authentication, Roles, and Access Control

Ghost supports staff roles (Author, Editor, Admin, Owner) and member roles (free, paid, custom tiers). Access control is simple: staff manage content, members access gated posts and newsletters. SSO and advanced RBAC are available on higher plans.

Caching, CDN, and Performance

Ghost(Pro) includes a global CDN, DDoS protection, and automatic caching for assets and API responses. Self-hosted Ghost can be paired with NGINX, Cloudflare, or any CDN for optimal performance.

Deployment and Hosting

Ghost can be self-hosted (Node.js, MySQL, NGINX) or run on Ghost(Pro) for managed hosting. Ghost(Pro) handles updates, backups, SSL, and scaling.

Migration and Import/Export

Ghost provides import/export tools for posts, members, and settings. You can migrate from WordPress, Substack, or other platforms with minimal friction.

Security and Compliance

Ghost(Pro) is GDPR compliant, with enterprise-grade security, two-factor authentication, and SSO on business plans. Self-hosted users are responsible for patching and compliance.

5. Hygraph: The GraphQL-Native, API-First CMS

Hygraph (formerly GraphCMS) is the CMS for developers who love GraphQL. It’s API-first, SaaS-based, and designed for omnichannel content delivery. Hygraph is popular with teams building complex apps, e-commerce sites, and multi-platform experiences.

For marketers, Hygraph offers a visual editor, localization, and workflow tools. For developers, it’s a GraphQL playground with flexible schema modeling, content federation, and strong TypeScript support.

Features of Hygraph

Content Modeling and GraphQL APIs

Hygraph lets you define content models (types, fields, relationships) via a visual builder or API. Every model is exposed as a GraphQL endpoint, with auto-generated queries, mutations, and filtering. You can federate content from remote sources, enabling unified querying across multiple backends.

Query Language: GraphQL (Only)

Hygraph is GraphQL-native—there’s no REST API. This means you get precise, efficient queries, strong typing, and compatibility with modern frontend frameworks (Next.js, SvelteKit, etc.). The Management SDK allows programmatic schema changes and migrations, with full TypeScript support.

TypeScript and SDK Quality

Hygraph provides developer-friendly SDKs, codegen for TypeScript types, and CLI tools for migrations and environment management. The API playground makes it easy to test queries and mutations.

Authentication, Roles, and Access Control

Hygraph supports role-based access control (RBAC), OAuth authentication, SSO, audit logs, and custom roles. You can manage permissions at the model, field, or environment level.

Caching, CDN, and Performance

Hygraph delivers content via a global CDN, with middle-layer caching and predictable payloads. Performance is strong, with low latency and high concurrency limits on enterprise plans. You can use static site generators or ISR for optimal speed.

Ecosystem and Integrations

Hygraph integrates with CRM, analytics, personalization, commerce, and marketing automation tools. The Marketplace offers ready-made apps and UI extensions, and webhooks enable custom workflows.

Migration and Import/Export

Hygraph supports GraphQL mutations for bulk imports, content federation for remote data, and CLI tools for schema migrations. Migration guides and support are available for onboarding.

Security and Compliance

Hygraph is GDPR, CCPA, SOC2, and ISO 27001 compliant, with enterprise-grade security, data encryption, and manual/off-site backups.

Comparison Table: The Top 5 Headless CMS for Blogging in 2026

CMS	Free Tier Limits	Query Language(s)	Best Use-Case	Developer Experience Score (1–10)
Sanity	Unlimited admin users, free content updates, pay-as-you-go for API overages	GROQ, GraphQL, REST	Structured content, automation, multi-channel	9.5
Contentful	5 users, 100,000 API calls/mo, 50GB asset bandwidth	REST, GraphQL	Enterprise DXP, localization, integrations	8
Strapi	Free (self-hosted); Cloud: 2,500 API req/mo, 10GB storage	REST, GraphQL	Open-source, self-hosting, plugins	8.5
Ghost	$15/mo for 1,000 members, unlimited posts/emails	REST	Blogging, newsletters, memberships	7.5
Hygraph	2 locales, 3 users, unlimited assets, 10KB query	GraphQL	GraphQL-native, content federation, omnichannel	8.5

Developer Experience Score is a subjective rating based on TypeScript support, SDK quality, local dev workflows, and extensibility.

Final Thoughts: Which Headless CMS Should You Choose in 2026?

Choose Sanity if you want a developer-first, future-proof CMS with real-time collaboration, schema-as-code, and deep customization. It’s the best choice for teams who treat content as data and want to automate, scale, and innovate.
Choose Contentful if you’re an enterprise with global teams, complex localization, and a need for stability, integrations, and analytics. It’s the “safe” choice, but be prepared for higher costs and some rigidity.
Choose Strapi if you want open-source freedom, self-hosting, and total control over your backend. It’s ideal for developers who want to own their stack and avoid SaaS lock-in.
Choose Ghost if you’re a writer, blogger, or indie publisher who wants a fast, SEO-friendly, and distraction-free platform with built-in memberships and newsletters.
Choose Hygraph if you’re building complex, API-driven apps with heavy GraphQL usage, content federation, and global scale. It’s the top pick for GraphQL-first teams.