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APIs · head to head

Payload CMS vs Strapi

Payload CMS logo

Payload CMS

APIs

Modern TypeScript-first headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Strapi logo

Strapi

APIs

Headless CMS with REST and GraphQL APIs

From
$35/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Payload CMS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Strapi cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • They diverge on capability: Payload CMS covers Versioning, Strapi covers Content management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Payload CMS and Strapi actually diverge.

Attributes where Payload CMS and Strapi differ
AttributePayload CMSStrapi
Starting priceFree$35/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsNode.js, Self-hostedNode.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker
Founded20202015

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 Payload CMS

  • Versioning
  • TypeScript
  • Node.js
  • Databases
  • Custom plugins

Only in Strapi

  • Content management
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • AWS
  • Webhooks
  • Cloud support
  • Docker support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • GraphQL API
  • Node.js support
  • Self-hosted 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 Strapi
  • Generating an admin panel plus REST and GraphQL APIs from a code confignot Strapi
  • Digital asset management and headless e-commerce back endsnot Strapi

Strapi

  • Running a self hosted headless CMS with a REST or GraphQL APInot Payload CMS
  • Giving editors a content admin panel over a custom content modelnot 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

Strapi

  • Cloud pricing is per project, not per account, so a second project doubles the bill
  • Starter at $35 a month allows 100,000 API requests, and overage is $1.50 per 25,000
  • Extra bandwidth is $30 per 100 GB and extra asset storage $0.60 per GB
  • Backups start at the Pro plan, weekly, and only become daily at Business
  • An uptime SLA is Business only, at $450 a month per project
  • Additional environments cost $60 a month on Pro and $300 a month on Business

Pricing, plan by plan

Payload CMS

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

Strapi

$35/month
  • Starter$35/month
    • 100k API requests
    • 50 GB asset storage
    • 50 GB asset bandwidth
  • Pro$90/month
    • 1M API requests
    • 250 GB asset storage
    • 500 GB asset bandwidth
  • Business$450/month
    • 10M API requests
    • 1000 GB asset storage
    • 1000 GB asset bandwidth

Which should you pick?

Choose Payload CMS if

  • You need versioning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Node.js, Self-hosted.
  • You also want typescript.
Payload CMS review

Choose Strapi if

  • You need content management.
  • You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
  • You also want postgresql.
Strapi review

Questions people ask

Is Payload CMS or Strapi better?
Neither clearly leads. Payload CMS starts at Free and Strapi at $35/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Payload CMS or Strapi?
Payload CMS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Payload CMS and $35/month for Strapi.
Does Payload CMS or Strapi run on more platforms?
Payload CMS runs on Node.js, Self-hosted. Strapi runs on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
Can I use Payload CMS for free?
Yes. Payload CMS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Strapi starts at $35/month.
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 Strapi is typically brought in for.
What can Payload CMS do that Strapi cannot?
Payload CMS covers Versioning, TypeScript, Node.js, Databases. Strapi covers Content management, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB. Both handle REST API, GraphQL API, Node.js support, Self-hosted support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Strapi: How much do API request overages cost?

Additional API requests beyond the plan limit cost $1.50 per 25000 requests. Extra asset storage costs $0.60 per GB, and additional bandwidth costs $30 per 100 GB.

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
Strapi: Is yearly billing available?

Yes, yearly billing saves up to 17% compared to monthly billing on Strapi Cloud plans.

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
Strapi: What is included with the Pro plan?

The Pro plan costs $90 per month per project and includes 1M API requests, 250 GB asset storage, 500 GB bandwidth, multi-environment support, weekly backups, and manual backups.

Source
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