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APIs · head to head

Kong Gateway vs Payload CMS

Kong Gateway logo

Kong Gateway

APIs

Open-source and cloud API gateway for managing microservices traffic

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Payload CMS logo

Payload CMS

APIs

Modern TypeScript-first headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kong Gateway the free open-source gateway lacks the analytics, portals, and support of the paid Konnect tiers.; 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: Kong Gateway covers API request routing, Payload CMS covers REST API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kong Gateway and Payload CMS actually diverge.

Attributes where Kong Gateway and Payload CMS differ
AttributeKong GatewayPayload CMS
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
Platformsweb, linux, apiNode.js, Self-hosted
Founded20172020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Kong Gateway

  • API request routing
  • Plugin ecosystem
  • Developer portals
  • AI Gateway
  • Analytics and observability
  • SSO and audit logs

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.

Kong Gateway

  • Routing and securing traffic across microservicesnot Payload CMS
  • Publishing internal or external developer portalsnot Payload CMS
  • Managing rate limits and authentication at the API edgenot Payload CMS
  • Gateway-level routing to multiple LLM providersnot Payload CMS

Payload CMS

  • Running a headless, TypeScript-configured CMS you self-hostnot Kong Gateway
  • Generating an admin panel plus REST and GraphQL APIs from a code confignot Kong Gateway
  • Digital asset management and headless e-commerce back endsnot Kong Gateway

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Kong Gateway

  • The free open-source gateway lacks the analytics, portals, and support of the paid Konnect tiers.
  • Plus tier caps API requests at 1M/month before incurring per-million overage charges.
  • Enterprise pricing is custom and not published, making budgeting harder without sales contact.
  • Configuration and plugin management can require significant operational expertise to run at scale.

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

Kong Gateway

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • 30-day enterprise functionality trial
    • Unlimited gateways
    • 30-day analytics retention
  • Plus$undefined/month
    • Up to 5 serverless, 2 hybrid, 2 dedicated cloud gateways
    • 1M API requests/month included
    • Up to 2 developer portals
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited hybrid and dedicated cloud gateways
    • Unlimited developer portals
    • SSO and audit logs

Payload CMS

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full PayloadCMS
    • Self-hosted
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Kong Gateway if

  • You need api request routing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, linux, api.
  • You also want plugin ecosystem.
Kong Gateway review

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.
Payload CMS review

Questions people ask

Is Kong Gateway or Payload CMS better?
Neither clearly leads. Kong Gateway starts at Free and Payload CMS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kong Gateway or Payload CMS?
Kong Gateway starts at Free and Payload CMS at Free.
Does Kong Gateway or Payload CMS run on more platforms?
Kong Gateway runs on web, linux, api. Payload CMS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted.
Can I use Kong Gateway for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kong Gateway best used for?
Kong Gateway is most often used for routing and securing traffic across microservices, publishing internal or external developer portals, managing rate limits and authentication at the api edge, gateway-level routing to multiple llm providers. Of those, routing and securing traffic across microservices and publishing internal or external developer portals are not what Payload CMS is typically brought in for.
What can Kong Gateway do that Payload CMS cannot?
Kong Gateway covers API request routing, Plugin ecosystem, Developer portals, AI Gateway. Payload CMS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Versioning, TypeScript.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kong Gateway: Is Kong Gateway free?

Kong's core gateway is open source and free to self-host. Kong Konnect, the managed cloud platform, offers a 30-day free trial before moving to paid Plus or custom Enterprise pricing.

Source
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.

Source
Kong Gateway: How is usage metered on the Plus plan?

The Plus plan includes 1M API requests per month, with additional usage billed at $200 per extra 1 million requests up to a 10M/month cap, plus per-gateway and per-LLM-model charges.

Source
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.

Source
Kong Gateway: What support is included?

Plus includes email support with a 2-business-day SLA, while Enterprise adds dedicated success managers and professional services.

Source
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.

Source
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