Comparison · CMS · 2026
Payload vs Strapi: which open-source CMS should you choose?
Choose Payload if your site is built on Next.js and you want the CMS and website in one TypeScript codebase. Choose Strapi if you want a separate content backend that can feed several front ends, or a managed cloud plan from the vendor.
Both are MIT-licensed, so the software itself is free to self-host. Your real cost is hosting, upkeep or a paid cloud plan. Details come from each project's documentation and pricing page, checked on 2 November 2026.
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Payload and Strapi side by side
The main difference is where the CMS lives.
| Payload | Strapi | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| Where it runs | Inside a new or existing Next.js app | As its own application, self-hosted or on Strapi Cloud |
| APIs | REST, GraphQL and direct database access in Node.js | REST and GraphQL |
| Databases named in its docs | MongoDB and Postgres | Check its docs for your setup |
| Best fit | One Next.js codebase | One backend for several front ends |
What Strapi Cloud costs
Self-hosting avoids these fees, but you then run the servers, backups and updates yourself. On Strapi Cloud, the Starter plan has no backups and sleeps when idle, so most live business sites should look at Pro or above.
| Plan | Price | API requests | Backups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $35 | 100k | None |
| Pro | $90 | 1M | Weekly |
| Business | $450 | 10M | Daily |
Ownership to consider
Payload was acquired by Figma in June 2025. Its core code remains MIT-licensed, so check its roadmap and enterprise features if a long-term plan depends on them.
Our recommendation
For a new Next.js site with developers in charge, start with Payload. One codebase means one deployment and fewer moving parts.
Choose Strapi when a mobile app or several websites need the same content, or when your team wants the CMS kept apart from the front end.
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- Is Payload better than Strapi?
- For a project built entirely on Next.js, Payload is usually the simpler fit. Strapi is often better when several front ends share one content backend.
- Are Payload and Strapi free?
- Both are MIT-licensed and free to self-host, though you still pay for hosting. Paid offerings and enterprise features are separate.
- Does Payload need a separate server?
- No. Payload installs inside your Next.js app, so the CMS and website can be deployed together.
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