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Astro

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Payload CMS

Astro vs Payload CMS

Astro vs Payload CMS: which is right for your project? Astro is content-focused framework that ships zero javascript by default. Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Astro and Payload CMS serve different use cases well. Choose Astro for Content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal JavaScript. Choose Payload CMS for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead.

Official docs: Astro Documentation · Payload CMS Documentation

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	Astro	Payload CMS
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Performance	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Astro

Pros

Ships zero JS to the client by default (Islands Architecture)
Use React, Vue, Svelte, or any framework in the same project
Content collections with type-safe Markdown/MDX
Purpose-built for content sites — blogs, docs, marketing pages

Cons

Not ideal for highly interactive apps (designed for content sites)
Smaller ecosystem than Next.js — fewer integrations available
SSR support is newer and less battle-tested
Island architecture requires thinking differently about interactivity

Payload CMS

Pros

Lives inside your Next.js codebase — zero API latency
Config-as-code with full TypeScript type safety
Built-in auth, access control, and file uploads
No vendor lock-in — self-host on your own database

Cons

Tightly coupled to Next.js ecosystem
Newer platform with a smaller community and fewer plugins
Requires TypeScript/Node.js development skills
Admin UI is functional but less polished than Sanity or Contentful

Platform Details

Detail	Astro	Payload CMS
Language / Stack	JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic)	TypeScript / Node.js
Type	framework	headless cms
Pricing	Free (open-source)	Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available
Open Source	Yes	Yes
Best For	Content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal JavaScript	Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead
Export Method	N/A (destination framework)	REST API, GraphQL, or direct database access

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Astro if…

You need content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal javascript
Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members
You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose Payload CMS if…

You need next.js developers wanting a cms that lives in their codebase with zero api overhead
Your team is comfortable with TypeScript / Node.js
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (self-hosted) / cloud plans available

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Astro and Payload CMS depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Astro is a framework built with JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic), while Payload CMS is a headless cms built with TypeScript / Node.js. That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. Both platforms require some technical comfort — consider which tech stack aligns better with your team's existing skills.

From a cost perspective, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Astro better than Payload CMS?

They're closely matched (25/30 vs 23/30). Astro is best for Content-heavy websites that need maximum performance with minimal JavaScript, while Payload CMS excels for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.

Can I migrate from Astro to Payload CMS?

Yes. Export your Astro content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Payload CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between Astro and Payload CMS?

Astro is content-focused framework that ships zero javascript by default, while Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. Key differences: ease of use (Astro: 4/5, Payload CMS: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available), and ecosystem size (Astro: 3/5, Payload CMS: 2/5).

How much does Astro cost compared to Payload CMS?

Astro: Free (open-source). Payload CMS: Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available. Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.

Which is easier to learn, Astro or Payload CMS?

Astro is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JS to the client by default (Islands Architecture). Payload CMS has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to TypeScript / Node.js.

Which performs better, Astro or Payload CMS?

Both score equally on performance (5/5). The real difference depends on your setup: Astro uses JavaScript/TypeScript (framework-agnostic), Payload CMS uses TypeScript / Node.js. Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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