Software · head to head
Payload CMS vs Stoplight
Payload CMS
Software
Modern TypeScript-first headless CMS with REST and GraphQL 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; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
- They diverge on capability: Payload CMS covers REST API, Stoplight covers API Design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Payload CMS and Stoplight actually diverge.
| Attribute | Payload CMS | Stoplight |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Web, Cloud |
| Founded | 2020 | 2014 |
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 Stoplight
- API Design
- API Documentation
- Governance
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Jenkins
- Azure DevOps
- Web 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 Stoplight
- Generating an admin panel plus REST and GraphQL APIs from a code confignot Stoplight
- Digital asset management and headless e-commerce back endsnot Stoplight
Stoplight
- Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot Payload CMS
- Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot 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
Stoplight
- The free plan allows one project and one user
- Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
- SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
- Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period
Pricing, plan by plan
Payload CMS
Free- Open SourceFree
- Full PayloadCMS
- Self-hosted
- Community support
Stoplight
Free- FreeFree
- API design
- Documentation
- Community support
- Pro$75/monthly
- Governance
- Advanced testing
- Team collaboration
- Enterprise$undefined/monthly
- Custom deployment
- SLA
- Priority support
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 Stoplight if
- You need api design.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Cloud.
- You also want api documentation.
Questions people ask
- Is Payload CMS or Stoplight better?
- Neither clearly leads. Payload CMS starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Payload CMS or Stoplight?
- Payload CMS starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
- Does Payload CMS or Stoplight run on more platforms?
- Payload CMS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
- 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 Stoplight is typically brought in for.
- What can Payload CMS do that Stoplight cannot?
- Payload CMS covers REST API, GraphQL API, Versioning, TypeScript. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, GitHub.
Related pages
More on Payload CMS
Keep looking
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