Payload

About Payload

Next.js-native open-source headless CMS and application framework built with TypeScript and React. Used by Disney, Bugatti, and growing rapidly (YC-backed). Payload 3.0 installs directly in your Next.js /app folder, enabling true full-stack development. Features code-based content modeling, auto-generated admin UI, live preview, localization, access control, and version history. Supports MongoDB and PostgreSQL. One-click deploy to Vercel or Cloudflare Workers. **Webstudio Integration:** REST and GraphQL APIs for data fetching. Rich text returns structured JSON (Slate/Lexical format). Supports images, uploads, and complex field types. Webhooks available for content updates. Full database access for custom queries. **Open Source:** Yes — MIT license. Fully open source, self-hostable with no restrictions. Payload Cloud is optional managed hosting. **Style:** Developer-first (code-based configuration). Requires TypeScript/JavaScript knowledge. Auto-generated admin UI is user-friendly for content editors once set up. Best suited for developer-led projects. **Strengths:** - Next.js native (lives in your app, not separate service) - Full TypeScript support with excellent DX - Code-based schema (version control, type safety) - Self-hostable with your own database - One-click serverless deploy (Vercel, Cloudflare) - Highly customizable admin UI (swap React components) **Weaknesses:** - Requires developer to set up (no visual schema builder) - Smaller ecosystem than Strapi - Steeper learning curve for non-developers - Admin UI less polished than commercial alternatives - Relatively newer (less battle-tested than older CMSs) **Pricing:** - **Self-hosted:** Free (MIT, unlimited) - **Payload Cloud Free:** $0 (limited resources) - **Payload Cloud Standard:** $35/month (+ usage overages) - **Payload Cloud Pro:** $199/month (priority support, higher limits) - **Enterprise:** Custom pricing