APIs · head to head
Aiia vs Payload CMS
Aiia
APIs
Open banking and open finance API platform, now operating as Mastercard Open Banking
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Payload CMS
APIs
Modern TypeScript-first headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Payload CMS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Aiia it is now part of Mastercard rather than an independent company, so a business specifically wanting to avoid card network dependency in its banking infrastructure no longer gets that separation by choosing Aiia.; Payload CMS payload is a Next.js fullstack framework and installs into a Next.js app, so it is not framework-agnostic
- They diverge on capability: Aiia covers Bank account data access, Payload CMS covers REST API.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Aiia and Payload CMS actually diverge.
| Attribute | Aiia | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, API | Node.js, Self-hosted |
| Founded | Unknown | 2020 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Aiia
- Bank account data access
- Payment initiation
- Mastercard Open Finance integration
- Modern authentication support
- Multi-country coverage
- Developer documentation and sandbox
Only in Payload CMS
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Versioning
- TypeScript
- Node.js
- Databases
- Custom plugins
- Node.js support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Aiia
- A lending or credit product needing affordability checks via European bank account datanot Payload CMS
- A personal finance or accounting product needing transaction history across Nordic and European banksnot Payload CMS
- A payments product wanting account-to-account payment initiation under open banking regulationnot Payload CMS
- A business wanting the stability and continued investment of Mastercard ownership behind its banking connectivity providernot Payload CMS
Payload CMS
- Running a headless, TypeScript-configured CMS you self-hostnot Aiia
- Generating an admin panel plus REST and GraphQL APIs from a code confignot Aiia
- Digital asset management and headless e-commerce back endsnot Aiia
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Aiia
- It is now part of Mastercard rather than an independent company, so a business specifically wanting to avoid card network dependency in its banking infrastructure no longer gets that separation by choosing Aiia.
- Pricing is not published and requires engaging Mastercard's open finance sales process, which can be a heavier sales motion than dealing with a smaller independent open banking provider.
- Its strongest bank coverage remains concentrated in the Nordics and Northern Europe, so companies needing dense coverage in Southern or Eastern Europe should verify current bank connectivity before committing.
- Brand confusion is real: developer documentation, login portals and older case studies still reference "Aiia" while newer Mastercard material refers to "Mastercard Open Banking," and a company researching either name in isolation may miss half the relevant material.
- As with any open banking platform, reliability still depends on the consistency of the underlying banks' own APIs, which is a systemic industry issue rather than something Aiia specifically controls.
Payload CMS
- Payload is a Next.js fullstack framework and installs into a Next.js app, so it is not framework-agnostic
- Database support is limited to MongoDB and Postgres
- SSO is an Enterprise-only feature
- Publishing workflows, the visual editor, static A/B testing and AI auto-embedding are listed as Enterprise features
- Enterprise is sold through a Schedule a Demo form with no published price
- Free support is through a Discord community rather than a vendor support channel
Pricing, plan by plan
Aiia
On request- Aiia Enterprise (Mastercard Open Banking)$undefined/year
- Pricing not published, quote via Mastercard Open Finance sales
Payload CMS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full PayloadCMS
- Self-hosted
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Aiia if
- You need bank account data access.
- You work on Web, API.
- You also want payment initiation.
Choose Payload CMS if
- You need rest api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Self-hosted.
- You also want graphql api.
Questions people ask
- Is Aiia or Payload CMS better?
- Neither clearly leads. Aiia starts at On request and Payload CMS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Aiia or Payload CMS?
- Payload CMS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aiia and Free for Payload CMS.
- Does Aiia or Payload CMS run on more platforms?
- Aiia runs on Web, API. Payload CMS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
- Can I use Payload CMS for free?
- Yes. Payload CMS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aiia starts at On request.
- What is Aiia best used for?
- Aiia is most often used for a lending or credit product needing affordability checks via european bank account data, a personal finance or accounting product needing transaction history across nordic and european banks, a payments product wanting account-to-account payment initiation under open banking regulation, a business wanting the stability and continued investment of mastercard ownership behind its banking connectivity provider. Of those, a lending or credit product needing affordability checks via european bank account data and a personal finance or accounting product needing transaction history across nordic and european banks are not what Payload CMS is typically brought in for.
- What can Aiia do that Payload CMS cannot?
- Aiia covers Bank account data access, Payment initiation, Mastercard Open Finance integration, Modern authentication support. Payload CMS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Versioning, TypeScript.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Aiia: Is Aiia still an independent company?
No, it was acquired by Mastercard in 2021 and now operates as part of Mastercard Open Finance Solutions, referenced as Aiia Enterprise.
Payload CMS: How much does Payload CMS cost?
Payload CMS does not publish detailed pricing information on its main website. The site indicates a divide between self-hosted open-source development solutions and premium features, but specific costs and billing periods are not listed.
SourceAiia: Does the Aiia brand still exist?
Yes, in developer documentation and login portals, but the company behind it is Mastercard.
Payload CMS: Does Payload CMS offer an open-source option?
Yes, Payload offers an open-source option for self-hosted development solutions, with additional enterprise features available.
SourceAiia: Which banks does it cover?
Around 3,000 European banks, with strongest coverage in the Nordics and Northern Europe.
Payload CMS: How do I learn about Payload CMS pricing?
Users can visit the /get-started page for pricing details or schedule a demo through the website to discuss pricing and enterprise options.
SourceRelated pages
More on Payload CMS
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