Payload
Developer-first TypeScript & React headless CMS
Strapi
Design APIs fast, manage content easily.
Updated February 2026
| Payload | Strapi | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0★ | 4.9★ |
| Reviews | 11 | 19 |
| Pros | 10 | 14 |
| FactScore™ | 54 | 63.6 |
FactScore™ Comparison
FactScore™ weighs both quality (rating) and popularity (reviews) for a fairer ranking than stars alone.
Pros & Cons
Only in Payload — Pros
Developer friendly Customization capabilities Rich text editor Configurable admin panel Excellent documentation Extendable admin UI Fast performance REST and GraphQL supportBoth tools — Pros
Community support Open sourceOnly in Strapi — Pros
Customizable Headless CMS Content management User-friendly admin panel Flexible Cloud solution Developer-friendly API-first design Dynamic content management Integration with frontend frameworks Modular development Plugin ecosystemOnly in Payload — Cons
Limited features Limited integrationsBoth tools — Cons
—Only in Strapi — Cons
Internationalization feature missing Steep learning curveDetails
| Payload | Strapi | |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Content Management Systems, Headless CMS software, Databases and backend frameworks | Content Management Systems, Headless CMS software, Databases and backend frameworks |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Became Popular | May 12, 2021 | November 1, 2017 |
| Website | payloadcms.com | strapi.io |
Who Should Pick Which?
Choose Payload if...
- Developer friendly
- Customization capabilities
- Rich text editor
Choose Strapi if...
- Customizable
- Headless CMS
- Content management
With a FactScore™ of 54 vs 63.6, Strapi leads in community reception. Payload uniquely offers Developer friendly and Customization capabilities, while Strapi stands out for Customizable and Headless CMS.
What Users Say
Payload
I've been using Payload CMS for more than a month now. It hard to appreciate the simplicity and performance without trying it. I encourage everyone to try it. All you need is to create a model (Typ...
hey @jamesmikrut! congrats on your launch! I'm using Payload CMS for a while now, started to do so when the version number started with a 0 and I already liked it even then. great documentation, re...
We started using payload recently for making full-stack web applications. CMS is their core but you can go above and beyond with their excellent support. Tapping into the new ecosystem and loving it.
Strapi
Strapi is the solid backbone any blog needs, a real "no-fuss" kind of platform. Building and deploying content became seamless tasks rather than monumental challenges. It's customizable, intuitive,...
At Paage, integrating Strapi has significantly boosted our team’s efficiency. It provides a solid framework that encourages more modular development. The Strapi team and community are always ready ...
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Big thumbs up to the makers of Strapi Cloud! 🎉🎉🎉 This managed content platform is a game-changer for teams looking to streamline their content creation process without sacrificing cus...
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Payload or Strapi?
Based on FactScore™, Strapi leads with a score of 63.6 vs 54. Strapi has a higher rating of 4.9★ compared to 5.0★.
What are the pros of Payload compared to Strapi?
Payload uniquely offers: Developer friendly, Customization capabilities, Rich text editor, Configurable admin panel, Excellent documentation.
What are the pros of Strapi compared to Payload?
Strapi uniquely offers: Customizable, Headless CMS, Content management, User-friendly admin panel, Flexible.
Is Payload better rated than Strapi?
Payload is rated 5.0★ from 11 reviews. Strapi is rated 4.9★ from 19 reviews.
What is the FactScore™ of Payload and Strapi?
FactScore™ weighs rating and review volume together. Payload scores 54 and Strapi scores 63.6.
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