Software · head to head
Payload CMS vs Strapi
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; 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.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Payload CMS and Strapi actually diverge.
| Attribute | Payload CMS | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Node.js, Self-hosted | Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker |
| Founded | 2020 | 2015 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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
- 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
Free- CommunityFree
- Self-hosted Strapi
- Community support
- Pro$99/monthly
- Cloud hosting
- Advanced features
- Priority support
- Business$undefined/monthly
- Enterprise features
- Custom SLA
- Dedicated support
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.
Choose Strapi if
- You need content management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Node.js, Cloud, Self-hosted, Docker.
- You also want postgresql.
Questions people ask
- Is Payload CMS or Strapi better?
- Neither clearly leads. Payload CMS starts at Free and Strapi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Payload CMS or Strapi?
- Payload CMS starts at Free and Strapi at Free.
- 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?
- 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 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.