Move to Payload CMS for TypeScript-first development and better Next.js integration.
Official docs: Strapi Documentation · Payload CMS Documentation
Self-hosting requires DevOps knowledge and maintenance
Plugin ecosystem is growing but still smaller than established CMS
Large datasets can stress the default SQLite/PostgreSQL setup
Cloud hosting launched recently — less mature than competitors
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
Side-by-side comparison based on real platform characteristics
| Metric | Strapi | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 | ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 |
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 |
| Cost | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 |
| Scalability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 |
| Ecosystem | ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 | ⭐⭐ 2/5 |
| Language | Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript) | TypeScript / Node.js |
| Pricing | Free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (Cloud) | Free (self-hosted) / Cloud plans available |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
Ratings are based on publicly available data, documentation, and community consensus as of 2026. Individual experience may vary.
A detailed breakdown of how your Strapi content maps to Payload
Migrate your content in three simple steps
Enter your Strapi site URL — LeaveWP connects automatically.
Select Payload as destination and choose content options.
Download your migrated content or preview it in your browser.
Explore more migration paths from Strapi or to Payload
In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration
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