Joomla
Payload CMS
Joomla vs Payload CMS: which is right for your project? Joomla is php cms balancing power and usability. Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. We compare features, performance, and pricing.
Start MigrationPayload CMS wins overall, but Joomla is better for community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management. Choose Joomla for Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management. Choose Payload CMS for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead.
Official docs: Joomla Documentation · Payload CMS Documentation
| Feature | Joomla | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cost Value | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Scalability | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ecosystem | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Detail | Joomla | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
Language / Stack | PHP | TypeScript / Node.js |
Type | traditional cms | headless cms |
Pricing | Free (self-hosted) | Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available |
Open Source | Yes | Yes |
Best For | Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management | Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead |
Export Method | Database export or J2XML extension | REST API, GraphQL, or direct database access |
The right choice between Joomla 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. Joomla is a traditional cms built with PHP, 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. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Joomla's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.
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.
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