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Payload

Headless CMS & app framework

Reviewed byRoman K· 2026-06-28

About

TypeScript-first headless CMS. Code-first config, admin UI, access control, hooks.

headlesstypescriptcode-firstopen-source

Metrics

43.3k
GitHub Stars
3.9k
Forks
460.0k
npm Downloads/wk
846
Open Issues

More in CMS

Frequently asked questions

What is Payload?▾

TypeScript-first headless CMS. Code-first config, admin UI, access control, hooks. It falls under the cms category and uses a open-source pricing model. The project is actively maintained with 43.3k GitHub stars.

Is Payload free?▾

Yes, Payload offers a free plan that you can use without a credit card. The pricing model is open-source.

How much does Payload cost?▾

Payload is free to start. It uses a open-source pricing model. A free plan is available for small projects or evaluation. Check https://payloadcms.com for the latest pricing details and plan comparison.

What category is Payload in?▾

Payload is a cms tool. Content management systems, headless CMS You can compare Payload with 3 alternatives in the same category on Soft.xyz.

Is Payload open source?▾

Yes, Payload is open source and freely available on GitHub. It has 43.3k stars and 3.9k forks, with the last commit on 2026-06-28. You can inspect the source code, contribute, or self-host it.

What are alternatives to Payload?▾

Popular alternatives to Payload include Strapi, Sanity, Directus. Each offers different pricing, features, and community support. You can compare them side-by-side on Soft.xyz using real metrics like GitHub stars, npm downloads, and actual pricing data.

How popular is Payload?▾

Payload has 43.3k stars on GitHub and 460.0k weekly npm downloads. This places it among the most popular tools in its category. The project was last updated on 2026-06-28.