WordPress
Payload CMS
WordPress vs Payload CMS: which is right for your project? WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web. Payload CMS is typescript-first headless cms that lives in your next.js app. We compare features, performance, and pricing.
Start MigrationIt depends — WordPress and Payload CMS serve different use cases well. Choose WordPress for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control. Choose Payload CMS for Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead.
Official docs: WordPress REST API Docs · Payload CMS Documentation
| Feature | WordPress | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cost Value | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Scalability | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ecosystem | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Detail | WordPress | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
Language / Stack | PHP | TypeScript / Node.js |
Type | traditional cms | headless cms |
Pricing | Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs | Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available |
Open Source | Yes | Yes |
Best For | Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control | Next.js developers wanting a CMS that lives in their codebase with zero API overhead |
Export Method | REST API or WP All Export plugin | REST API, GraphQL, or direct database access |
The right choice between WordPress 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. WordPress 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, WordPress'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 offers a free WordPress → Payload CMS migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.
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