Move to Payload CMS for TypeScript-first development and better Next.js integration.
You can migrate from Strapi to Payload for free using LeaveWP. Enter your site URL, choose Payload as the destination, and download your content — posts, pages, and media — in minutes. No API keys, passwords, or CLI tools required. Difficulty: Medium. Estimated time: 30-60 minutes.
Official docs: Strapi Documentation · Payload CMS Documentation
Open-source headless CMS built with Node.js. Developer teams wanting a self-hosted headless CMS with full control, but these limitations push teams toward modern alternatives.
Self-hosting requires DevOps knowledge and maintenance
This is the most common reason teams migrate away from Strapi. Payload eliminates this issue entirely.
Plugin ecosystem is growing but still smaller than established CMS
With Payload, lives inside your next.js codebase — zero api latency.
Large datasets can stress the default SQLite/PostgreSQL setup
Modern architectures like Payload are designed to avoid this from the ground up.
Cloud hosting launched recently — less mature than competitors
After migrating, you'll no longer need to worry about this — Payload takes a fundamentally different approach.
TypeScript-first headless CMS that lives in your Next.js app. Built with TypeScript / Node.js, it's next.js developers wanting a cms that lives in their codebase with zero api overhead.
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
Payload is open-source and free to use. You own your code and data with no vendor lock-in. Deploy to any host that supports TypeScript / Node.js, or use managed platforms like Vercel and Netlify for zero-config deployments.
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
What may need manual attention
Custom server-side logic, third-party integrations, and platform-specific plugins will need equivalent solutions in Payload. The core content (text, images, metadata) transfers cleanly.
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.
Migrating from Strapi to Payload makes the most sense if you're experiencing self-hosting requires devops knowledge and maintenance or outgrowing Strapi's architecture. Payload is best for next.js developers wanting a cms that lives in their codebase with zero api overhead.
You should migrate if: your Strapi site is slow, your hosting costs are climbing, you need developer flexibility, or you want to adopt a modern headless architecture.
You might want to stay if: your Strapi site benefits from fully open-source — self-host with no vendor lock-in and you don't have the resources to learn a new platform. Strapi is genuinely easy to use, and that simplicity has value.
The migration itself is straightforward with LeaveWP — enter your Strapi URL, select Payload, and download your content. The more important question is whether Payload's architecture fits your team's skills and your project's long-term needs.
Explore more migration paths from Strapi or to Payload
In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration
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