Directual

Directual is a full-stack no-code platform for building AI agents, internal business tools, and scalable web applications. It combines a visual database builder, API endpoints, serverless backend scenarios, vector search, and a web page builder into one cloud environment. The platform is designed for startup founders who need to ship an MVP quickly, software developers who want to offload backend work, product owners creating internal CRMs and portals, and freelancers and agencies delivering client projects without managing infrastructure.

Key Features

• Visual database and API builder. Define data structures with a drag-and-drop interface and automatically generate REST API endpoints for every table. The database supports relational links, filtering, sorting, and pagination out of the box.
• Backend scenarios. Build server-side logic visually with a scenario editor that chains triggers, conditions, data transformations, HTTP requests, and custom code blocks. Scenarios run on Directual's servers and handle the core business logic of your application.
• AI agents and vector search. Connect advanced LLMs to your app data through Directual's vector search engine. AI agents can query your database, perform autonomous tasks, and interact with users based on the data and instructions you configure.
• Web page builder. Create front-end interfaces with a visual page builder that connects directly to your Directual database. Pages support custom domains, free SSL certificates, and white-label branding on all paid plans.
• Blockchain and Web3 modules. Integrate smart contracts, token operations, and wallet connections into your apps. Directual supports Web3 use cases alongside traditional web applications on the same platform.
• Integrations and plugins. Extend your app with premium plugins and connect to external services through API endpoints, webhooks, and scenario HTTP requests. The platform includes built-in file storage with tiered capacity per plan.

How It Works

Directual structures every application around three core layers. First, you model your data in the visual database, defining tables, fields, and relationships. Next, you build backend scenarios that handle logic like user authentication, payment processing, data validation, and third-party API calls. Finally, you assemble the front end with the web page builder or connect a custom front end built in React, Angular, or Vue.js through Directual's API. The platform handles hosting, scaling, SSL, and backups. For AI agent projects, the vector search engine indexes your data so LLMs can retrieve and reason over it at runtime.

Pricing and Plans

Directual offers four app plans billed per application. The Startup plan costs $39 per month paid annually ($49 month to month) and includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. It provides 30,000 processing operations, 3,000 sync operations, 30,000 GET requests, 3,000 POST requests, 15 GB of file storage, and a 10 RPS limit with community support. The Pro plan at $175 per month paid annually ($249 month to month) adds custom domains with free SSL, advanced security features, hosting region selection, 500,000 processing operations, 100 RPS, and premium support. A one-month trial is available for $1. The Business plan at $840 per month paid annually ($1,199 month to month) raises limits to 2 million processing operations, 1,000 RPS, includes a 99.9% uptime SLA, daily backups, individual consultations, and a separate development environment. The Team plan costs $59 per developer seat per month paid annually ($74 month to month) and is built for agencies and freelancers, with each seat including a Pro-sandbox app slot. An enterprise private cloud option is also available with unlimited apps, unlimited seats, and no resource limits. When plan limits are exceeded, on-demand resource consumption kicks in at tiered per-unit rates.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Combines database, API, backend logic, and front-end builder in a single platform, reducing the need to stitch together separate services.
• Visual scenario editor handles complex backend workflows without writing server code, while still allowing custom code blocks when needed.
• Built-in vector search and AI agent capabilities let you add LLM-powered features without external vector database services.
• White-label portal and custom domain support are available on every paid plan, including the entry-level Startup tier.
• Team plan includes an affiliate structure where agencies earn up to 50% of their clients' license payments.

Cons:

• Operational limits on the Startup plan are relatively low at 30,000 processing operations per month, which may not support production apps beyond early MVPs.
• The on-demand resource pricing model means costs can be unpredictable if your app exceeds plan limits before you notice.
• Platform-specific architecture creates vendor lock-in; migrating a Directual app to a traditional codebase would require a full rebuild since the scenario logic is proprietary.

Who Should Use Directual

Directual fits startup founders and product teams who need to validate an idea and iterate on an MVP without hiring backend engineers. Its visual scenario system rewards users who think in terms of workflows and data flows rather than code syntax. Agencies and freelancers benefit from the Team plan's affiliate model and the ability to white-label client apps. Software developers who want to accelerate backend development while keeping the option to connect a custom front end will find the API-first architecture practical. The platform is less suitable for teams that need full control over their hosting environment or who anticipate needing to migrate to a custom stack in the near term, since the proprietary backend scenarios do not export to standard code.