vioscaleAI
Comparison

Payload CMS vs Strapi

On the evidence we track, Strapi leads this comparison with a composite score of 75/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Payload CMS full profile →Strapi full profile →
Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
Payload CMS54
★Strapi75
Score
vioscaleAI score
Payload CMS54 / 100low · 18%
Strapi75 / 100high · 75%
Pricing
Free tier
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Model
Payload CMSopen_source
Strapifreemium
Price level
Payload CMSfree
Strapimid
Starting price
Payload CMS–
Strapi$35
Transparent
Payload CMS✗
Strapi✓
Integrations
Count
Payload CMS5
Strapi197
Security
Certifications
Payload CMS–
StrapiSOC 2
Gdpr
Payload CMS–
Strapi✓
Scorecard
Payload CMS–
Strapi7
Soc2
Payload CMS–
Strapi✓
Trust center
Vulnerabilities
Reliability
Sla pct
Payload CMS–
Strapi99.9
Status page
Payload CMS–
Strapi✓
Adoption
Dependent repos
Payload CMS–
Strapi4,257
Github stars
Payload CMS–
Strapi73,319
Package downloads weekly
Payload CMS–
Strapi229,467
Activity
Commits last 30d
Payload CMS–
Strapi100
Release
Cadence days
Payload CMS–
Strapi6
History
Payload CMS–
Strapi20 items
License
Spdx
Payload CMS–
StrapiSEE LICENSE IN LICENSE
Language
Primary
Payload CMS–
StrapiTypeScript
Market
Availability
Content
Faq
Payload CMS6 items
Strapi8 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for cms software. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Core
CMS type
Payload CMSHeadless / API-first
StrapiHeadless / API-first
Licensing
Open-source
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Deployment
Self-hostable
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Managed / cloud hosting offered
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Delivery
Headless API (REST/GraphQL)
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Content
Structured content modelling
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Localisation / i18n
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Content workflow / approvals
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Editing
Visual / no-code page builder
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Extensibility
Plugin / app ecosystem size
Payload CMSCommunity-driven with templates and GitHub integration
Strapi197 community-built integrations and plugins
Scale
Multi-site / multi-tenant
Payload CMS✓
Strapi-
Workflow
Git-based / code-first workflow
Payload CMS✓
Strapi-
Pricing
Free / open tier
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Payload CMS

A Node.js-based framework providing an instant TypeScript backend, administrative interface, and deployment flexibility. Functions as both a headless content management system and a foundation for building custom applications.

Independently observed

Strapi

Leader

An open-source headless CMS enabling developers to visually design content structures and automatically generate REST and GraphQL APIs, while providing content creators with an intuitive interface for managing content.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Payload CMS

Open sourceFree tier14-day trial

Open source. Payload Cloud available with 14-day free trial.

  • Payload CloudFree
as of verify ↗

Strapi

Leader
from $35/moSubscriptionFree tier

From $35/month for Strapi Cloud. Free open-source self-hosted option available.

  • Starter$35/month
    • 100k API requests per month
    • 50 GB asset storage
    • 50 GB asset bandwidth
    • Unlimited database entries
    • Built-in email provider
    • +1 more
  • Pro$90/month
    • 1M API requests per month
    • 250 GB asset storage
    • 500 GB asset bandwidth
    • Unlimited database entries
    • Multi-environment
    • +3 more
  • Business$450/month
    • 10M API requests per month
    • 1000 GB asset storage
    • 1000 GB asset bandwidth
    • 1 extra environment included
    • Daily backups
    • +1 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
CLI
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Payload CMS✗
Strapi✓
Self-hosted
Payload CMS✓
Strapi✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

In common (1)
  • Resend

Payload CMS

8 total - 7 not shared
  • Nodemailer
  • SendGrid
  • Stripe
  • Ethereal
  • SMTP
  • MongoDB
  • PostgreSQL
Independently observed

Strapi

Leader
27 total - 26 not shared
  • React
  • Vue.js
  • Svelte
  • Astro
  • Next.js
  • Nuxt.js
  • Flutter
  • React Native
  • TanStack
  • React Router 7
  • React-admin
  • Azure
  • Railway
  • Cloudinary
  • ImageKit
  • Mux
  • Elasticsearch
  • Algolia
  • n8n
  • Postmark
  • Croct
  • SearchBlox
  • Expo
  • Medusa
  • +2 more
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Payload CMS or Strapi: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.