Contentstack.

Enterprise-focused DXP with pre-built workflows and native multi-cloud hosting

Contentstack started where Contentful left off: as a pure enterprise play. No free tier, no democratization – from day one focused on mid to large organizations with serious DXP needs.

What is Contentstack?

A headless CMS separates content management from presentation; Contentstack is specifically a headless Digital Experience Platform (DXP). This means not just content management, but also omnichannel delivery orchestration. Where a CMS asks "where is my content," a DXP asks "which content to which channel, when, and for whom." Contentstack built this in from the start.

What makes Contentstack different?

Native multi-cloud today. Contentstack was one of the first with native hosting on multiple clouds – AWS, Azure, GCP – simultaneously. This isn't "we work with AWS," but "you choose your cloud provider." Many companies don't want vendor lock-in; Contentstack says: "Choose your cloud." This is strategically intelligent.

Enterprise without doubt. Where Contentful climbed up through developers and free tiers, Contentstack took the "direct to enterprise" route. No prices on website = serious conversations. This gives an aura of reliability. The system feels "mature" – not hip, but trustworthy.

Permissions and roles system. Where other CMSs treat permission models as an afterthought, Contentstack has this very well built-in. Fine-grained access control, multi-tenant setups, audit trails – essential for organizations with strict governance.

Strengths

Native multi-cloud hosting – AWS, Azure, GCP simultaneously; no lock-in; European data centers available.

Enterprise access control – Granular permission model, role-based workflows, audit logging.

Out-of-the-box DXP features – Omnichannel delivery, content scheduling, versioning, workflows – all present.

European presence – Amsterdam headquarters, EU data centers, GDPR-native.

Solid APIs – GraphQL and REST; well documented; stable.

Proven at scale – Used by ASICS, Chase, Holiday Inn, McDonald's – no small names.

Who uses Contentstack?

Contentstack is trusted by major retailers, financial services, hospitality, and tech companies that need enterprise-grade DXP.

ASICS – Global omnichannel commerce and marketing content

Chase – Financial services content management at scale

Air France-KLM – Airline industry omnichannel platform

Mattel – Global toy brand content distribution

McDonald's – Franchise content management across continents

Vacansoleil – European holiday operator (early adopter NL/EU)

Our perspective

Contentstack is for organizations that say: "We want a mature, non-experimental system." It doesn't make the splashiest features – personally we find Sanity's AI integration more innovative, Contentful's Ninetailed personalization more practical. But if you're looking for "stable, reliable DXP for enterprise," Contentstack is a solid answer.

The Dutch office in Amsterdam (since 2019) is significant. This isn't just a regional office – it gives the organization a European foothold. For Dutch and European enterprise clients, this means better support and compliance alignment.

In our experience: Contentstack is the "quiet success" in the enterprise DXP world. It doesn't win on marketing hype, but on reliability. You don't hear about it everywhere, but large organizations actively use it.

Suitable for

Enterprise organizations (1,000+ employees) with complex DXP needs

Retailers and e-commerce companies with omnichannel strategy

Organizations that want multi-cloud (not single-vendor lock-in)

Teams with strict governance requirements (financial, pharma, etc.)

Global enterprises that need local data residency (EU data centers)

Companies with existing content that needs migration

Consider carefully

No free tier; even Starter tier (EUR 995/month) is serious money

Invisibility in market – you don't see it marketed much; "enterprise quiet"

Setup requires partner – this is not self-service

Can feel like overkill for mid-sized companies without real DXP complexity

Roadmap slightly less ambitious on AI/innovation compared to Contentful

Smaller developer community than Contentful/Sanity

Is Contentstack suitable for enterprise?

Absolutely yes. Contentstack is intended for enterprise. Multi-tenant, role-based access, SLAs, dedicated account management, compliance certifications, scale capacity – all built in. This is the "turnkey" enterprise solution.

Summary: Contentstack is the mature choice for mid to large organizations that want a robust headless DXP without experimentation. Native multi-cloud hosting distinguishes it. European presence (Amsterdam) is an advantage for EU-based teams. It doesn't win on innovation headlines, but on reliability, scale, and "it just works."

Need help with your CMS choice? We're happy to help with your evaluation and selection process.

Schedule a call

In practice

Integrations & ecosystem

Contentstack integrates with major platforms: e-commerce (Shopify, SAP, Oracle Commerce), marketing automation (HubSpot, Adobe), analytics (Google Analytics, Mixpanel), PIM systems (Syndigo, Salsify), and more. Webhooks and APIs enable custom integrations. Partner ecosystem growing. Contentstack Launch (own front-end hosting platform, 2024+) offers integrated front-end deployment.

Implementation

Implementation timeline: 3-6 months depending on scope and data migration. You need a partner (Incentro in NL/BE is an option). Data migration from legacy systems requires preparation. Content model design with Contentstack partner. Team training: 2-4 weeks. Hosting setup with cloud provider of choice.

Support & community

Contentstack offers 24/7 enterprise support. Dedicated account managers for enterprise deals. Community less visible than Contentful/Sanity, but present. Documentation good. We have positive experience with Contentstack support – responsive and solid.

AI & product development

Contentstack's roadmap is more cautious on AI/automation compared to Contentful/Sanity. Current features: content optimization, multi-language support. Personalization via Lytics CDP integration (acquired 2024). AI features growing, but not leading-edge. Positive: less "AI hype," more practical.

Compare with alternatives

How does Contentstack compare to Contentful?

Both are headless CMS/DXP, both enterprise-focused. Contentful is older, larger, more marketing-oriented. Contentful had early momentum; Contentstack "stealth enterprise" approach. Contentful + Ninetailed stronger on personalization; Contentstack stronger on multi-cloud. For pure DXP commodities: equivalent. Choice depends on your cloud strategy and vendor preference.

Also check out our analyses of other headless CMS solutions:

Sanity – Developer-friendly headless CMS with custom editors, AI-forward

Contentful – Enterprise CMS with Ninetailed personalization, stronger marketing motion

Storyblok – Headless CMS with visual builder, less enterprise-heavy

Sitecore – Traditional enterprise DXP with long heritage, stronger on marketing automation

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Contentstack cost?
Starter: EUR 995/month. Standard: EUR 2,500+/month. Scale/Enterprise: contact sales. No free tier; you pay from the start.
Why no prices on the website?
Strategic choice. Contentstack targets enterprise – not a self-serve model. Personal conversations with sales align them with customer needs.
Can I try Contentstack?
Not for free. Demo possible; trial account with sales team support. Schedule a meeting.
Is Contentstack suitable for multi-cloud?
Yes, this is unique. AWS, Azure, GCP simultaneously available. European data centers present. This is an advantage over single-cloud competitors.
How complex is migration from another CMS?
Fairly complex. Data structure mapping, content transformation, testing. Partner helps. Budget 2-3 months extra for migration-intensive setup.
Does Contentstack have AI features?
Growing. Current: content optimization, multi-language. Lytics integration for personalization. Less cutting edge than Contentful/Sanity, but practical.

Need help with your CMS choice?

Breakfast helps you make the right choice. Independent advice, no hidden agendas.

Schedule a call