Payload CMS
Developer-First, TypeScript-Native Headless CMS
Overview
Payload is a headless CMS and application framework built with TypeScript, Node.js, and React. Code-first configuration with incredible developer experience.
Best for:
Features
Pricing
Compatible Technologies
Technical Features
Community
40.2
GitHub Stars
254k/week
NPM Downloads
10k+
Discord Members
2026-02-02
Last Update
Enterprise Features
Scalability
Horizontal scaling and high-availability deployments
Security & Compliance
Compliance Certifications
* Compliance depends on implementation and hosting provider. Payload CMS itself does not provide compliance certifications.
Find Payload CMS Experts
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Top Agencies
Alpina Tech
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QBurst
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GRANITE
We are a global digital transformation partner with over 160 industry experts, delivering comprehensive digital solutions across experience design, technology engineering, digital marketing, brand innovation, and video production.
Successive Digital
#1 RecommendedSuccessive Digital is a modern technology consulting partner built for enterprises that want to scale with confidence.
FocusReactive
#1 RecommendedWeb development agency with deep expertise in the headless CMS market.
Payload is an open-source, code-first CMS and application framework
that installs directly into a Next.js app folder. Collections, fields,
and access control are defined in TypeScript config files, generating
a REST API, GraphQL API, and Local API automatically. It supports
MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite through swappable database adapters.
Key Highlights
- Auto-generated REST, GraphQL, and server-side Local API
- Code-defined collections with TypeScript type generation
- Swappable database adapters for MongoDB, Postgres, and SQLite
Why It Fits Jamstack Workflows
- The Local API queries the database directly within React Server Components, eliminating HTTP round-trips; REST and GraphQL endpoints serve external consumers and static site generators
- Webhooks, draft/publish workflows, and on-demand revalidation hooks let build pipelines respond to content changes in real time
Typical Implementations
- Marketing websites with visual editing
- Headless e-commerce storefronts
- Internal tools and enterprise dashboards
- Multi-tenant SaaS applications
Setup Snapshot
Hosting: "Self-hosted or deployed serverlessly on Vercel and Cloudflare"
Content: "Collections and globals defined in TypeScript config files"
Delivery: "REST API, GraphQL API, and direct Local API within Node.js"
Notes
- Payload lives inside your Next.js /app folder — it is not a standalone server but a set of libraries embedded in your application
- Requires a database adapter; MongoDB needs no migrations, while Postgres and SQLite require migration scripts for schema changes in production