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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.