Software · head to head
Payload CMS vs Sanity
Payload CMS
Software
Modern TypeScript-first headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Sanity
Software
Headless CMS with real-time collaborative editing and structured content APIs
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Payload CMS payload is a Next.js fullstack framework and installs into a Next.js app, so it is not framework-agnostic; Sanity free plan limited to 10,000 documents and 100GB assets
- They diverge on capability: Payload CMS covers REST API, Sanity covers Content API.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Payload CMS and Sanity actually diverge.
| Attribute | Payload CMS | Sanity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | subscription |
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Web |
| Founded | 2020 | 2011 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Payload CMS
- REST API
- GraphQL API
- Versioning
- TypeScript
- Node.js
- Databases
- Custom plugins
- Node.js support
Only in Sanity
- Content API
- Collaborative editing
- Structured content
- Webhooks
- Third-party services
- GROQ query language
- Cloud support
- JavaScript SDK support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Payload CMS
- Running a headless, TypeScript-configured CMS you self-hostnot Sanity
- Generating an admin panel plus REST and GraphQL APIs from a code confignot Sanity
- Digital asset management and headless e-commerce back endsnot Sanity
Sanity
- Headless CMS for structured content managementnot Payload CMS
- Collaborative content editing with real-time multiplayer supportnot Payload CMS
- API-driven content delivery with GROQ query languagenot Payload CMS
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Sanity
- Free plan limited to 10,000 documents and 100GB assets
- Free plan supports only public datasets
- Growth plan capped at 50 seats maximum
- Private datasets, scheduled drafts, and comments/tasks require paid plans
- Annual billing unavailable for Growth plan; Enterprise-only
Pricing, plan by plan
Payload CMS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full PayloadCMS
- Self-hosted
- Community support
Sanity
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Sanity review.
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Sanity if
- You need content api.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want collaborative editing.
Questions people ask
- Is Payload CMS or Sanity better?
- Neither clearly leads. Payload CMS starts at Free and Sanity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Payload CMS or Sanity?
- Payload CMS starts at Free and Sanity at Free.
- Does Payload CMS or Sanity run on more platforms?
- Payload CMS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Sanity runs on Web.
- Can I use Payload CMS for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Payload CMS best used for?
- Payload CMS is most often used for running a headless, typescript-configured cms you self-host, generating an admin panel plus rest and graphql apis from a code config, digital asset management and headless e-commerce back ends. Of those, running a headless, typescript-configured cms you self-host and generating an admin panel plus rest and graphql apis from a code config are not what Sanity is typically brought in for.
- What can Payload CMS do that Sanity cannot?
- Payload CMS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Versioning, TypeScript. Sanity covers Content API, Collaborative editing, Structured content, Webhooks.