Headless monorepos comparison: Strapi vs Payload CMS

1. Overview of Headless CMS

1.1. What does "Headless" mean and what is a "headless monorepo"?

1.2. Advantages of Headless Systems

1.3. Advantages of Monorepo Packages

2. Strapi Monorepo with Next.js

2.1. Setup and Architecture

2.2. Using APIs

2.3. Extensibility with Plugins

2.4. Advantages and Disadvantages

3. Payload CMS Monorepo with Next.js

3.1. Introduction to Payload CMS

3.2. Setup and Configuration

3.3. Using APIs

3.3. Local API and Data Models

3.4. Extensibility with Plugins

3.5. Advantages and Disadvantages

4. Comparison of Both Systems

4.1. Development Effort and Learning Curve

4.2. Performance and Scalability

4.3. Security and Maintenance

4.4. Flexibility in Content Modeling

4.5. Community and Ecosystem

4.6. Cost Considerations

4.7. Localization and Multilingualism

4.8. Customizing and Expanding the Admin Interface

4.9. Support for Monorepos and Modern Dev Workflows

4.10. Technology Stack

4.11. Data Retrieval and API Integration

4.12. Database Support

5. Use Cases and Decision Support

5.1. When is Strapi Suitable?

5.2. When is Payload the Better Choice?

6. Conclusion

In a previous post, I published a detailed comparison between headless WordPress and Payload CMS, focusing on modern architectures, localization, performance, and integration with Next.js.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at two other popular headless solutions: Strapi and Payload, particularly in conjunction with monorepo structures and Next.js. Both systems offer flexible APIs, modern development workflows, and a good developer experience, but differ in many important details.

1. Overview of Headless CMS

Headless CMSs have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in conjunction with modern front-end technologies such as React, Next.js, or Vue. The term "headless" refers to an architectural model in which the backend (content management) is completely decoupled from the frontend (the presentation on the website or app).

While traditional CMSs like WordPress have a fixed templating system that both manages and displays content, a headless CMS is limited exclusively to managing and delivering content via an API – usually in the form of REST or GraphQL. The frontend is developed independently using any technology.

Why is this relevant?

In times of multi-channel communication – i.e., websites, mobile apps, digital displays, and more – headless CMSs offer maximum flexibility. Content only needs to be maintained once and can then be deployed to various channels.

1.1. What does "headless" mean and what is a "headless monorepo"?

What does "headless" mean?

The term "headless" originally comes from software architecture and describes systems that function without a "head" – that is, without a built-in frontend. In a classic CMS like WordPress, the backend (managing content) and the frontend (displaying content) are closely linked. With a headless CMS, however, the backend is completely decoupled from the frontend.

This means:

• The CMS only provides the content – ​​via REST or GraphQL APIs.
• The frontend is freely selectable – for example, React, Next.js, Vue, or a native app.
• Content can thus be provided across all channels – website, app, smart TV, etc.

This results in greater flexibility, but also higher demands on planning and development, since the frontend must be built entirely by the developer.

What is a "headless monorepo"?

A monorepo (short for monolithic repository) is a shared repository in which multiple related projects or applications are organized into a single Git repository. In the context of headless CMS, a headless monorepo is one in which both the CMS (backend) and the frontend (e.g., Next.js app) are managed and developed in a single code repository.

Advantages of a headless monorepo:

• Central code base: Frontend and backend in one project facilitate development and maintenance.
• Common dependencies: e.g., type sharing between the backend (CMS) and frontend.
• Faster development: Changes in the backend (e.g., a new content field) can be tested directly in the frontend.
• Modern development workflows: CI/CD, testing, linting, etc., can be configured consistently.

Example:

Strapi with Next.js: The official Strapi monorepo demo shows how to manage the frontend and CMS in one project.

Payload with Next.js: Payload is also ideal for monorepos – especially thanks to the Local API and native TypeScript support.

1.2. Advantages of Headless Systems

Headless CMSs offer numerous advantages over traditional, "coupled" content management systems. Headless systems demonstrate their strengths particularly in modern web projects designed for flexibility, performance, and scalability:

1. Technological Freedom

With a headless CMS, you are not tied to a specific frontend. You can deliver content to websites, mobile apps, smart TVs, or other platforms – all via the same API. You can implement the frontend with the tech stack of your choice: e.g., React, Next.js, Vue, Svelte, Flutter, or native iOS/Android apps.

2. Better Performance

Headless setups enable modern rendering strategies such as Static Site Generation (SSG) or Server-side Rendering (SSR) – especially in combination with frameworks like Next.js. This creates lightning-fast websites, independent of the CMS backend.

3. Scalability

Because the frontend is decoupled, you can have different teams work on the backend and frontend in parallel. This makes the architecture more scalable, and cloud-native setups are also easier to implement.

4. API-First Approach

Headless CMSs are typically API-centric. Content is delivered in a structured format (often as JSON) – which is beneficial not only for developers but also for integrations with third-party systems (e.g., shop systems, external data sources, CRM, etc.).

5. Omnichannel Capability

Once created, content can be deployed to various channels – website, app, newsletter, digital signage, voice assistants, etc.

6. Better Developer Experience

Many headless CMSs are aimed at developers and offer features such as:

• TypeScript support
• Git-first workflows
• Local development
• Headless-only mode (e.g., payload)

1.3. Advantages of Monorepo Packages

Monorepos are becoming increasingly popular in modern development projects – especially when multiple closely related applications or services are developed and maintained together. In the context of headless CMS, this typically means: frontend (e.g., Next.js) and backend (CMS such as Strapi or Payload) in a shared repository.

The most important advantages:

1. Shared code base and better overview

A monorepo allows all parts of a project to be managed centrally. Developers don't have to jump back and forth between multiple repositories and can better coordinate changes in the backend and frontend.

2. Type sharing and central configuration

Especially for payload- or TypeScript-based projects, interfaces, types, and configurations can be shared. This reduces redundancy, and type errors are more easily detected. Both backend and frontend can import the same type.

3. Efficient development and build processes

Using tools like Turborepo, Nx, or Lerna, you can build or test only those parts of a monorepo that have changed. This saves time – especially in large projects or CI/CD pipelines.

4. Unified development tools and linting

Linting, Prettier, ESLint, testing, Husky hooks – everything can be set up and applied centrally within the monorepo structure. This creates consistent code quality across all project components.

5. Faster team collaboration

When backend and frontend developers work on the same branches, feedback loops are shorter – changes in the CMS can be immediately tested and adapted in the frontend.

2. Strapi Monorepo with Next.js

2.1. Setup and Architecture (Strapi Monorepo with Next.js)

Strapi is a widely used open-source headless CMS based on Node.js that features a user-friendly admin interface, REST and GraphQL APIs, and a flexible content model. It integrates well with modern front-end frameworks like Next.js—especially in a monorepo architecture.

Monorepo Structure

The folder structure makes it easy to develop the backend and frontend simultaneously. Both parts are independent but can communicate with each other through shared environment variables or shared folders (if desired).

Setup

1. Install the Strapi backend (in the backend folder)
2. • Set up via CLI or template: npx create-strapi-app backend
   • Configuration via files: config/, api/, components/
   • Data modeling via the admin interface or via code
2. Next.js frontend (in the frontend folder)
3. • Access to Strapi APIs via REST or GraphQL
   • SSG/SSR with data from the CMS
   • Flexible integration via fetch/Axios or Apollo Client
3. Joint development in a monorepo
4. • Starting both services with concurrently or turbo
   • Shared environment variables via .env or .env.*
   • Deployment, e.g. E.g., with Vercel (frontend) + Platform.sh, Railway, DigitalOcean, or self-hosted (backend)

Architectural advantages

• Decoupled yet tightly integrated systems
• Rapid development thanks to flexible APIs
• Option for type sharing (e.g., by introducing a shared package)
• Deployment-ready setup for production

2.2. Using APIs (Strapi)

Strapi follows an API-first approach, meaning all content and data models created in the backend are immediately available as an API – either via REST or GraphQL.

1. REST API

By default, Strapi generates a complete REST API with endpoints for each content type. The endpoints can be finely controlled via the role and permissions settings. For publicly accessible content (e.g., blog posts), access must be explicitly granted to the "public" role.

2. GraphQL API

Strapi offers an optional GraphQL plugin that generates a complete GraphQL interface. This works particularly well with frontend libraries such as Apollo Client or urql.

3. Custom APIs and Endpoints

With Strapi, you can also define your own API endpoints – e.g., "public" or "public" – to access the API. E.g., for special authentication, external integrations, or workflows. This is done via:

• ./src/api/[content-type]/controllers
• ./src/api/[content-type]/routes
• ./src/api/[content-type]/services

This allows the backend to be adapted very flexibly, even for complex business logic.

4. API Features and Tools

• Content Relations: Automatically available in the API (e.g., category or author)
• Media Handling: Images and files are managed via dedicated upload endpoints
• Internationalization: Localized content can be accessed with the locale parameter
• Filters, sorting, pagination: e.g., /api/posts?filters[title][$contains]=solar&sort=publishedAt:desc

2.3. Extensibility with Plugins (Strapi)

A key feature of Strapi is its modular architecture, which is based on a plugin system. Many core functions of the CMS – such as authentication, uploads, email sending, or internationalization – are themselves plugins. This allows for a clear separation of responsibilities and easy extensibility.

1. Official Strapi Plugins

Strapi offers a number of officially supported plugins that can be installed directly via the admin interface or CLI.

• @strapi/plugin-i18n - Internationalization and multilingual support
• @strapi/plugin-users-permissions - Role and permission management
• @strapi/plugin-graphql - Automatic GraphQL interface
• @strapi/plugin-email - Send emails via SMTP or external providers
• @strapi/plugin-upload - Upload images and files
• @strapi/plugin-seo - SEO configuration (included in some starter projects)

2. Community Plugins

In addition to the official plugins, there are also many community plugins (e.g., on GitHub or npm), for example, for:

• Sitemap generation
• CKEditor integration
• Cloudinary uploads
• Preview drafts
• Two-factor authentication

Some of these plugins are of high quality, others require more careful testing and maintenance.

3. Write your own plugins

Strapi also allows you to write custom plugins that can provide completely custom logic or admin interfaces. These are stored in a separate directory like official plugins. This allows you to tailor the CMS to the specific needs of your projects – e.g., for:

• Dashboards with KPIs
• Custom auth workflows
• Special data integration

4. Limitations of the plugin architecture

Although the system is well documented, it also has some limitations:

• Strapi's API is not always stable between major releases.
• Updates can break plugins – especially with community plugins.
• The admin UI cannot be freely customized – you are bound to Strapi's design system (React + Ant design).

2.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Strapi

After examining the architecture, API usage, and extensibility of Strapi in a monorepo setup with Next.js, it's worth taking a brief look at the system's strengths and weaknesses.

Advantages of Strapi

1. Quick Start

Strapi offers a user-friendly admin interface and an intuitive CLI that allows you to set up a project and create your first content types in minutes – without any backend programming knowledge.

2. REST and GraphQL Out of the Box

Strapi offers a powerful REST API out of the box, and with the official plugin, a full GraphQL interface – giving developers maximum flexibility in API integration.

3. Modular Plugin System

Functions such as authentication, localization, media management, and role permissions can be added and managed modularly. Custom plugins are also possible.

4. Active Community and Plenty of Resources

Strapi has a large and growing community, regular releases, and many tutorials, boilerplates, and community plugins – which is especially helpful when getting started.

5. Self-hosted & Open Source

You have full control over hosting, the database, updates, and extensions. No vendor lock-ins or licensing models.

Disadvantages of Strapi

1. Relatively high resource consumption

Strapi runs as a Node.js application and – depending on the number of plugins and data – can require a relatively large amount of RAM and CPU, especially for larger instances.

2. Limited Admin UI Customization

While you can write your own plugins, the design of the admin interface is tied to Ant Design and Strapi's proprietary UI system, which limits customization.

3. Migrations and Data Models

Changes to content types are stored as JSON in the codebase, but there is no native migration system like Payload or Prisma, which can cause problems with complex setups.

4. Dependence on Third-Party Plugins

Many features (e.g., previews, sitemaps, more complex localization) rely on community plugins, which are not always maintained or compatible.

5. Typing Weaknesses

Although Strapi is compatible with TypeScript, not all areas are fully typed, which can lead to manual effort in complex front-end projects.

3. Payload CMS Monorepo with Next.js

3.1. Introduction to Payload CMS

Payload is a modern, developer-friendly headless CMS based entirely on Node.js, Express, and TypeScript. It is primarily aimed at full-stack developers who require maximum control over the backend, data models, authentication, and the admin interface.

Unlike "no-code" systems like Strapi or Sanity, Payload deliberately relies on code-first configuration. This means that all content, collections, globals, and fields are described in JavaScript or TypeScript, allowing for extremely precise modeling—including custom fields, access control, and validations.

Key Features of Payload

• Code-First Approach. Content is defined as code - no UI builder required
• TypeScript-First. Full typing for backend and frontend - especially useful in monorepos
• Headless-Only. No templating engine - content is provided exclusively via API
• Local API. Direct data access without HTTP - ideal for monorepo architecture
• Modern Admin UI. React-based admin interface that is highly customizable
• Flexible Authentication. Out of the box: Sessions, JWT, custom login strategies
• Built-in Access Control. Access logic can be defined directly in the collection code
• Self-hosted & Open Source. Commercial add-ons available, but the base system is free to use

Why Payload?

While many headless CMSs try to make content maintenance as easy as possible for editors, Payload focuses on developers who want to build complex systems that are stable, maintainable, and testable. It's ideal if you:

• Use your own design system and components
• Use mono-repo structures with Next.js
• Need strong typing (e.g., with Zod, TypeScript, or GraphQL Codegen)
• Require custom business logic and access control

3.2. Setup and Configuration (Payload in Monorepo with Next.js)

Payload is ideally suited for use in a monorepo architecture together with a Next.js frontend. Thanks to local API access, code-based configuration, and native TypeScript support, the backend and frontend can be developed in close integration.

Payload Setup

1. Create project

npx create-payload-app

Or add it to an existing monorepo (e.g., in apps/admin).

2. Configuration in Code

Payload is configured via code – e.g., for collections:

1// packages/config/collections/Posts.ts
2import { CollectionConfig } from 'payload/types'
3
4const Posts: CollectionConfig = {
5  slug: 'posts',
6  fields: [
7    { name: 'title', type: 'text', required: true },
8    { name: 'content', type: 'richText' },
9  ],
10  access: {
11    read: () => true,
12  },
13}
14
15export default Posts
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3. Start payload server

1// apps/admin/src/server.ts
2import express from 'express'
3import payload from 'payload'
4
5const app = express()
6
7payload.init({
8  secret: process.env.PAYLOAD_SECRET,
9  express: app,
10  onInit: () => {
11    console.log('Payload is ready.')
12  },
13})
14
15app.listen(3000)
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4. Access the admin panel: http://localhost:3000/admin

Integration with Next.js in the monorepo

• Payload's Local API allows the Next.js frontend to access the data models directly – without HTTP requests.
• Types from payload-types can be used in the frontend (e.g., for props or static rendering).
• Shared packages (e.g., config/) contain the core business logic and can be integrated into both apps.

Tools that work well with Payload

• Turborepo or Nx for workspace management
• Zod or TypeBox for validation
• MongoDB or PostgreSQL as the database
• ESLint/Prettier/TSConfig shared in the root

3.3. Use of APIs, local API, and data models (including GraphQL)

As already mentioned, one of Payload's biggest advantages is its flexibility in querying data—and you have several options to choose from, depending on your project structure and preferences.

1. REST API

Payload comes with a REST API out of the box, which you can use to retrieve all content. As soon as you define a collection, you automatically get endpoints like:

• /api/posts for all blog posts
• /api/pages/home for individual page content
• And even: ?depth=2 to load relations

This API is ideal for classic data queries in SSR/SSG with Next.js or for external applications such as mobile apps or integrations with third-party providers.

2. The Local API (only usable in a monorepo)

If you have Payload and your frontend in the same project—e.g., For example, in a monorepo with Next.js, you can access the content directly in the code, without REST or GraphQL calls. This is not only faster, but also fully typed, which is especially fun with TypeScript.

Example: Do you need a list of testimonials for the homepage? Instead of making an HTTP call, simply use payload.find() directly in your Next.js server route or getStaticProps.

This reduces overhead, makes debugging easier, and feels like a one-stop shop.

3. GraphQL Interface

And don't forget: Payload also comes with a full-fledged GraphQL API—without any additional plugins or configuration. As soon as you start your project, you automatically get access to a GraphQL playground interface at, for example, /api/graphql.

What you get:

• An automatically generated GraphQL schema description
• Access to queries, mutations, filters, relations, etc.
• Optional: Use with the Apollo Client on the frontend

With Payload, you have three options for accessing your content:

• REST API. Classic, simple, usable anywhere
• GraphQL API. If you need a lot of flexibility in your queries (e.g., Apollo Client)
• Local API. In a monorepo with Next.js – for maximum efficiency, type safety, and control

3.4. Extensibility with Plugins (Payload)

In contrast to Strapi, which relies on a classic plugin system (similar to WordPress), Payload takes a different approach: There is no central plugin gallery or official "install button," but you extend the system directly via code - specifically and individually.

How does extensibility work in Payload?

The basic idea: You write your own extensions, e.g., as custom hooks, middleware, custom fields, or access control - all in your codebase, without any external dependencies.

Examples of extensibility:

• Custom upload adapters (e.g., Amazon S3, Cloudinary, local folders)
• Field-level access control
• Custom REST or GraphQL endpoints
• Background jobs or webhooks
• Middleware, e.g., E.g., for logging, security, validation, localization
• Auth extensions with OAuth, magic links, JWT, etc.

This means: You have full control, but also more responsibility. There's no UI to click together – you write what you need.

Are there still plugins?

While there is no official plugin platform like Strapi, some reusable modules already exist, e.g.:

• Payload Cloud Storage Plugin
• Payload SEO Plugin
• Payload Redirects Plugin
• Payload S3 Plugin
• Payload Search Plugin

These are all available as open-source NPM packages and can be easily integrated like other Node modules.

Payload doesn't offer a traditional plugin gallery, but it does offer extremely powerful code-based extensibility, which is a great strength, especially for experienced developers. You can build exactly what you need – without any detours.

4. Comparison of the two systems

Now the direct comparison begins: Strapi vs. Payload - the big headless battle! We evaluate both systems in several disciplines. At the end of each round, the winner receives a point.

First round: Development effort and learning curve.

4.1. Development effort and learning curve

Strapi - Fast, visual, beginner-friendly

Strapi immediately scores with a convenient admin interface. You can easily create collections, fields, and relations - without any code. Ideal if you need an MVP quickly or the project will later be maintained by non-developers.

• Very low entry barrier
• No prior knowledge of backend development required
• Role and permissions management at the click of a button
• Many features preconfigured (uploads, auth, i18n)

Conclusion: You can get started right away - perfect for teams with editors and a UX focus.

Payload – Structured, powerful, but demanding

Payload demands significantly more from you – you have to write collections yourself, define fields in code, and even do some debugging at first. But what you get is a clean, stable, and typed code workflow that integrates perfectly into professional setups.

• Steeper learning curve, but full control
• Typing & IntelliSense directly in the editor
• Better suited for complex, long-term projects
• No "admin click mess" – everything versionable in Git

Conclusion: More effort at the beginning – but exactly what developers often love.

Round 1: Who wins?

In terms of speed and user-friendliness, Strapi is clearly ahead.

Payload is more robust in the long run, but for most teams, "getting started faster" initially means real added value.

Winner of this round: Strapi

Score: Strapi 1 – Payload 0

4.2. Performance and Scalability

Strapi vs. Payload – Who's faster? Who stays stable when things get really serious?

Here we test the systems for speed and their ability to handle larger projects.

Strapi – Solid, but with Node.js overhead

Strapi is based on Node.js and Koa and delivers a well-optimized API out-of-the-box. The performance is absolutely sufficient for small to medium-sized projects.

Advantages:

• Caching can be integrated relatively easily via middleware (e.g., Redis).
• GraphQL queries run well as long as they don't become too complex.
• Supports horizontal scaling (multiple instances).

Disadvantages:

• The admin interface can become noticeably slower with many content types.
• Many plugins (e.g., for internationalization) cause additional overhead.
• No built-in static rendering – you're dependent on front-end optimizations.

Good for startups and medium-sized projects, but things can get tricky in enterprise setups.

Payload – Built for Speed

Payload was built with performance in mind. It uses Express and is very resource-efficient. Especially in combination with Next.js, you can see how quickly Payload delivers content.

Advantages:

• Local API: Load content directly from the database without an HTTP request (no latency).
• Built-in JSON compression and fast database access.
• Almost "instant data," especially in monorepos with Next.js.

No unnecessary plugins – only what you add yourself.

Disadvantages:

• MongoDB can be slower with very large datasets in certain scenarios (Postgres support is still relatively new).
• Without front-end optimization, the backend alone doesn't provide any speed advantage.

A real dream for development teams that want maximum speed.

Round 2: Who wins?

This is where Payload scores its first point. Thanks to its local API, typing, and minimal overhead, it's the faster and more scalable system—especially when used in conjunction with Next.js.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 1 – Payload 1

4.3. Security and Maintenance

Strapi vs. Payload – Which offers better protection and remains stable during updates?

Strapi – solid foundations, but plugin pitfalls

Strapi comes with extensive role and permission management. Right after installation, you can control which user groups can view, create, or edit content. Access to public APIs is blocked by default – a good security default.

Advantages:

• Out-of-the-box authentication with JWT and role permission management.
• Plugins for 2FA (two-factor authentication) or external authentication systems such as OAuth are available.
• Regular security patches by the core team.

Disadvantages:

• Dependency on community plugins can be a risk – not all are secure or regularly maintained.
• Updates can break plugins, which requires additional maintenance.
• No true field-level access without custom code.

More than sufficient for many projects, but highly sensitive applications require customization.

Payload – Security as a Core Principle

Payload takes a more radical and granular approach to security.

Access controls are defined directly in the code – you determine who can see, edit, or delete what and when.

Advantages:

• Field-Level Access Control: Access can be controlled at the field level.
• Middleware for custom authentication strategies (e.g., Magic Links, OAuth, LDAP) without hacks.
• No unnecessary dependencies – you have everything under control.
• Very stable update behavior because everything is code-based.

Disadvantages:

• Higher responsibility: You have to implement the rules correctly yourself.
• No "click solution" for security – everything requires developer knowledge.

Ideal for companies with high security requirements or if you manage critical data.

Round 3: Who wins?

This is where Payload scores. Strapi is secure, but Payload allows you to fine-tune access control directly in the code – and with fewer third-party dependencies.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 1 – Payload 2

4.4. Flexibility in Content Modeling

Strapi vs. Payload – Which is more creative and offers you more flexibility in building your data structures?

Strapi – Click together your data model

Strapi makes it super easy to create content types. Using the visual interface, you can add fields such as "Text," "Media," "Relation," or "Rich Text" via drag and drop.

Advantages:

• Intuitive interface for creating content types.
• Supports simple relationships (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many).
• User-friendly for teams with editors.
• Custom JSON fields possible for more complex content.

Disadvantages:

• Relations can become confusing with deeply nested structures.
• Validations and dependencies are only possible to a limited extent via the UI.
• Very complex data models still require custom code.

Absolutely sufficient for standard projects – workarounds are often needed for special cases.

Payload – Modeling Directly in Code

Payload is a "code-first" CMS where you describe data models with full control in JavaScript or TypeScript. No limits, no UI constraints – you can build anything you can imagine.

Advantages:

• Extremely flexible: Nested blocks, conditions, validations, hooks, etc.
• Rich blocks: Ideal for Gutenberg-like editors (complex layouts possible).
• Native support for relations and localization in collections.
• Versioning and reusability (e.g., shared field sets).

Disadvantages:

• No visual "builder" – content models are created only in code.
• For non-developers, the structure seems intangible.

For development teams demanding clean architectures, Payload is a real playground.

Round 4: Who wins?

This shows that Strapi is unbeatable for "click-and-go" projects. But when it comes to complex structures and maximum freedom, Payload has the edge.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 1 – Payload 3

4.5. Community and Ecosystem

Strapi vs. Payload – Who has the larger fanbase and more ready-made solutions?

Strapi – a mature and vibrant community

Strapi has been on the market since 2015 and is one of the most well-known headless CMSs. It has a large community and is developed by a dedicated core team.

Pros:

• 50,000+ GitHub stars and thousands of active developers worldwide.
• Many tutorials, YouTube videos, and starter projects available.
• Large selection of community plugins (sitemaps, Cloudinary, preview drafts, etc.).
• Official marketplace with vetted extensions.
• Active discussions on Discord, Stack Overflow, and GitHub.

Cons:

• Community plugins often vary in quality.
• Some add-ons become outdated quickly or are incompatible with the latest Strapi version.

Ideal for beginners because resources are available at every turn.

Payload – young but growing dynamically

Payload is significantly younger (2021) and has a smaller but very active community. The system primarily attracts full-stack developers who value TypeScript, performance, and clean code.

Advantages:

• Rapid growth on GitHub (at the time of this post, more than 17,000 stars in a short time).
• Active developer community, especially on Discord.
• Official plugins (SEO, cloud storage, redirects) and initial community modules.
• High-quality documentation with many examples.
• The development team responds directly to issues and feature requests.

Disadvantages:

• Fewer community plugins compared to Strapi.
• Not as many tutorials and videos yet (especially in German).

Payload appeals more to development teams who like to build their own rather than looking for ready-made solutions.

Round 5: Who will win?

Strapi is clearly stronger here: the community is larger, the ecosystem is more developed, and there are more out-of-the-box solutions. Payload is catching up, but Strapi remains undefeated in this category.

Winner of this round: Strapi

Score: Strapi 2 – Payload 3

4.6. Cost Aspects

Strapi vs. Payload – How Much Do Both Systems Really Cost?

Strapi – Open Source with Optional Enterprise Features

Strapi is 100% free and open source (MIT license). You can host and use it yourself without restrictions.

Advantages:

• Self-hosting is free – you only pay for your server infrastructure (e.g., VPS or Docker hosting).
• No limitations on collections, users, or API access.
• Many features (role management, i18n, REST, and GraphQL APIs) are already included in the basic version.

Enterprise Version (Optional)

For large companies with high demands, Strapi offers a paid Enterprise package. It includes:

• Priority support & SLAs
• SSO (Single Sign-On)
• Audit logs and advanced role management

Pricing: Upon request (often in the range of $1,000–2,000/month for enterprise customers).

Cons:

If you use community plugins, maintaining them may cost you time or even money if you need to upgrade to premium alternatives.

Payload – Completely open source, no hidden costs

Payload is also free and open source (MIT license). There are no artificial limits – you can set up as many collections, users, roles, or API access as you want.

Pros:

• Free self-hosting – pay only for the server/database (e.g., MongoDB Atlas or PostgreSQL).
• Features such as authentication, cloud storage, SEO, and live preview are included in the basic installation.
• No distinction between "Free" and "Enterprise" – you always get full functionality.
• Costs only from external services

If you combine Payload with cloud services such as Amazon S3, Cloudinary, or an SMTP mail service, you may pay the fees of these external providers. However, these are not CMS costs, but part of the infrastructure.

Payload Cloud (optional)

If you don't want to worry about hosting, Payload offers a managed service:

From $19/month (Developer) to $499/month (Business)

Disadvantages:

None – as long as you host yourself, there are no costs for the CMS.

Round 6: Who wins?

Both systems are free and open source at their core – a clear advantage. Payload provides all features out of the box without restrictions, while Strapi places certain enterprise features behind a paywall. For small to medium-sized projects: It's a tie. For developers who want complete freedom without licensing costs: Payload has a slight advantage.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 2 – Payload 4

4.7. Localization and Multilingualism (revised)

Strapi vs. Payload – Which is the best for international content?

Strapi – i18n is part of the core

Since Strapi 5, internationalization is no longer a plugin, but integrated into the system by default. This means you activate language versions directly in the content type build interface:

Advantages:

• No plugin installation required, everything out-of-the-box.
• Multilingualism can be controlled at the content or field level.
• REST API requests via ?locale=xx, GraphQL also supported.
• UI available for editors: easy language selection

Disadvantages:

• You have to define the fallback logic yourself.
• Complex, nested structures are difficult to maintain via the UI.
• Only one language can be edited at a time – this can complicate multitasking.

Payload – i18n Native and Flexible in Code

Payload offers localization directly in collections: you specify which fields are multilingual and use the feature everywhere – REST, GraphQL, Local API, and Next.js routing.

Advantages:

• i18n is part of the definition – native and powerful.
• Fully typed, ideal for monorepos.
• Fallbacks and complex structures can be coded cleanly.
• Supports nested content and rich text blocks with language.

Disadvantages:

• No UI designer, meaning stories must be planned in advance in the code.
• No easy switch UI for editors in the admin.

Round 7: Who will win?

Strai has become stronger – i18n is now easily enabled and provides editor-friendly UI tools. Nevertheless, Payload remains more flexible, type-safe, and fits better into complex developer workflows.

Winner of this round: Draw

Score: Strapi 3 – Payload 5

4.8. Customizing and Extending the Admin Interface

Strapi vs. Payload – Which Offers More Freedom When Customizing the Backend?

Strapi – Customizable, but with Limits

Strapi is based on React and Ant Design, which makes the admin interface modern and relatively easy to extend. You can implement simple modifications directly via the Strapi project.

Advantages:

• Themes and branding are easy to customize (logo, colors).
• Extendable with custom plugins and extensions.
• Official documentation for custom fields and admin panel extensions is available.
• Many UI components can be overwritten or extended.

Disadvantages:

• Strongly tied to the Ant design system – complete redesigns are difficult.
• Complex customizations (e.g., new dashboards or widgets) require in-depth knowledge of the internal API.
• Plugins from the community that customize the UI can break after updates.

Well suited if you need minor customizations or want to change your branding.

Payload – Full Custom Admin

Payload takes a different approach: The admin interface is modular from the start and written entirely in React. You can not only customize fields and layouts, but also build completely custom views and dashboards.

Pros:

• The admin UI is fully customizable – from fields to entire pages.
• Custom React components and hooks can be integrated directly.
• No UI constraints like with Strapi (no Ant design lock-in).
• Branding, workflows, special editors – everything can be built.

Cons:

• Customizations require React knowledge and developer effort.
• There are no "click-and-style" options – everything is coded.

Ideal for teams that need a customized backend with specific workflows.

Round 8: Who wins?

Strapi offers convenient UI customization for simple projects, but Payload goes deeper and gives you complete freedom. For developers who don't want any limitations, Payload is unbeatable.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 3 – Payload 6

4.9. Support for Monorepos and Modern Dev Workflows

Strapi vs. Payload – Which is more comfortable in modern developer setups?

Strapi – Works in a Monorepo, but not Natively

Strapi can easily be run in a monorepo with Next.js or other front-end frameworks. This is also demonstrated by their official demo project. Both applications (backend and frontend) are located in one repository.

Advantages:

• Can be integrated into monorepos (e.g., with Turborepo, Nx, or Lerna).
• Shared environment variables and scripts are possible.
• The Strapi backend and Next.js frontend can be started simultaneously.

Disadvantages:

• No native type sharing between backend and frontend.
• APIs must be queried via HTTP (even locally).
• No direct access to the data models without additional tools.
• You have to ensure that you have CI/CD pipelines that handle both parts properly.

Monorepo works – but it doesn't feel like a core feature.

Payload – Born for Monorepos

Payload loves monorepos. It was designed from the ground up to work closely with frontend apps like Next.js.

Advantages:

• Local API: Frontend accesses data models directly – no HTTP, no overhead.
• TypeScript models are automatically available in the frontend.
• Shared packages (e.g., shared/config, payload-types) are available out-of-the-box.
• Works perfectly with modern tools like Turborepo or Nx.
• Ideal for SSR and SSG in Next.js because data access runs in the same process.

Disadvantages:

• Requires a bit more initial setup (e.g., custom server for Next.js).
• Frontend and backend are tightly coupled – this can also be a disadvantage for separate teams.

Payload acts like a "backend-as-a-library" for Next.js.

Round 9: Who wins?

There's no debate here: Payload was built for monorepos and delivers a developer experience that Strapi can't.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 3 – Payload 7

4.10. Technology Stack

Strapi vs. Payload – Which offers more modern technologies and greater flexibility?

Strapi – Node.js with Koa and a Relational Focus

Strapi is based on Node.js and uses the Koa web framework under the hood. It appears modern at first glance, but in some areas it relies on traditional patterns.

Advantages:

• Runs on any Node.js environment (Docker, Vercel, Railway, bare metal).
• Supports relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MariaDB.
• REST and GraphQL APIs are included by default.
• Relatively easy migration of existing databases thanks to the ORM (Bookshelf.js/Knex).

Disadvantages:

• Internally uses Koa, which is less widely used than Express – developers sometimes have to learn the ropes.
• Not a true TypeScript-first design (TS support is available, but not native).
• No built-in file storage – you need external services or plugins for cloud storage.

Works well, but not fully "next-gen."

Payload – Modern TypeScript-First with Express

Payload takes a TypeScript-first approach from the start and uses Express.js as its server framework. This makes the system feel very familiar to modern developers.

Pros:

• Developed entirely in TypeScript – including types for all payload functions.
• Uses Express.js, one of the most widely used Node.js frameworks.
• Supports MongoDB and, more recently, PostgreSQL.
• Offers a local API for direct access in Next.js apps.
• Supports modern features like Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG) out of the box.

Cons:

• No support for relational databases like MySQL (MongoDB/Postgres only) yet.
• For teams without TypeScript experience, the learning curve can be steeper.

Payload feels like a modern backend for modern frontends.

Round 10: Who will win?

Payload is the clear favorite here: TypeScript-first, Express-based, and perfect for modern stacks. Strapi, on the other hand, feels more traditional and is especially better suited for relational databases.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 3 – Payload 8

4.11. Data Retrieval and API Integration

Strapi vs. Payload – Which Delivers Data to the Frontend Smarter?

Strapi – Flexibility with REST and GraphQL

Strapi follows an API-first approach and automatically delivers a complete REST API and optionally a GraphQL API (via the official plugin).

Advantages:

• REST API out-of-the-box: Clean endpoints like /api/posts, with pagination, filtering, and sorting.
• GraphQL API (plugin): Easy to install and perfect for complex frontends with Apollo Client or urql.
• Supports Deep Population: You can load relations directly.
• Very flexible for third-party integrations (e.g., mobile apps, IoT).

Disadvantages:

• GraphQL requires the additional plugin (but easier integration since v5).
• APIs are purely HTTP-based – in a monorepo, you always have to make HTTP calls locally, too.
• No direct type synchronization between backend and frontend.

Very powerful for teams accustomed to classic API workflows.

Payload – Local API and classic REST/GraphQL

Payload offers a REST API and a GraphQL API right out of the box, without plugins or configuration. But the real game-changer is the Local API.

Advantages:

• Local API: Access data without HTTP, directly in code (ideal for monorepos with Next.js).
• REST and GraphQL APIs are ready to use – no setup required.
• TypeScript types for API data can be imported directly into the frontend.
• Support for SSR/SSG in Next.js through direct queries in getServerSideProps or generateStaticParams.
• No overhead from HTTP calls in the same process.

Disadvantages:

• Local API only works with a shared codebase (monorepo).
• For external clients (e.g., mobile apps), you rely on REST/GraphQL – no clear advantage over Strapi here.

Payload is extremely efficient when the frontend and backend are closely integrated.

Round 11: Who wins?

When it comes to classic API integration, both systems are on par. But thanks to the Local API, Payload has a clear advantage in modern full-stack setups.

Winner of this round: Payload

Score: Strapi 3 – Payload 9

4.12. Database Support

Strapi vs. Payload – Which is more flexible when it comes to databases?

Strapi – Focus on Relational Databases

Strapi supports a wide range of databases and is particularly strong when dealing with relational databases.

Advantages:

• Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and SQLite directly.
• ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) via Bookshelf.js/Knex, which abstracts database queries.
• Migration of existing relational structures is often possible without major adjustments.
• Ideal for projects already based on a relational database.

Disadvantages:

• No native support for MongoDB since Strapi v4.
• Complex queries with deep relations can cause performance issues.
• No built-in query builder – you must use ORM tools directly if you need more control.

Strapi is the better choice if you need classic SQL databases.

Payload – NoSQL-first, now also with PostgreSQL

Payload was originally designed for MongoDB, but now also supports PostgreSQL.

Advantages:

• Native support for MongoDB – perfect for flexible, document-oriented data models.
• Since Payload v2: also support for PostgreSQL (still relatively new, but stable).
• Easy switching between MongoDB and PostgreSQL in new projects.

Disadvantages:

• No support for MySQL/MariaDB.
• MongoDB is less suitable for very complex relational structures (with many joins).

Payload excels with NoSQL projects and modern, flexible data models.

Round 12: Who wins?

Strapi scores a point here. With its broad support for relational databases and experience with classic SQL workflows, it is (still) superior to Payload.

Winner of this round: Strapi

Score: Strapi 4 – Payload 9

5. Use Cases and Decision Support

5.1. When is Strapi Suitable?

Strapi is the right choice if...

• You want to build a quick MVP or prototype. Strapi shines with its intuitive admin interface. Developers and content managers can click together content types and relations via the UI without having to delve deeply into the code.
• Your team also includes non-developers. If editors and designers regularly need to model content or adjust structures, Strapi's visual approach is ideal.
• You rely on relational databases. Projects that already use PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MariaDB are easier to integrate with Strapi.
• You need a large community and many plugins. With Strapi, you benefit from a large ecosystem and can quickly integrate extensions from the marketplace.
• You value visual management and low barriers to entry. Strapi offers a "click-and-go" mentality: ideal for agencies that implement many small to medium-sized projects.

When is Strapi not ideal?

• If you're planning a monorepo with tight coupling of backend and frontend.
• If you need maximum typing and code-first structures.
• If your team consists primarily of full-stack developers who prefer to version and type everything.

Conclusion: Strapi is perfect for teams that want a visual CMS with good API integration and a relational focus, while requiring as little programming as possible.

5.2. When is Payload the better choice?

Payload is the right tool if…

1. You want to build a developer-centric project. Payload was designed for full-stack developers who want maximum control over data models, authentication, and APIs. Everything is code-first, which means:

• Versionable content models
• Typed data access
• No "hidden magic" in the admin interface

2. You work with Next.js in a monorepo. Payload reveals its full power in monorepos because the frontend can access the backend directly:

• Local API for fast data queries without HTTP
• Shared TypeScript types between backend and frontend

3. You need flexible, complex data structures. Payload is perfect for projects with:

• Nested blocks (similar to Gutenberg in WordPress)
• Granular access rights (field-level access)
• Custom business logic and workflows

4. You want to use MongoDB or PostgreSQL. Payload supports MongoDB natively and, since version 2, also offers PostgreSQL support – ideal for modern stacks.

5. You need a customized admin panel. The admin interface is modular and can be extended or completely rebuilt with React components. No Ant design lock-in like with Strapi.

When is Payload not ideal?

• If your team has little developer expertise or only wants to work with an admin interface.
• If you need "click-and-run" projects that should go live tomorrow.

Conclusion: Payload is perfect for teams that want to build clean, typed architectures and aren't afraid of code. It is a CMS for the future – modern, lean and developer-first.

6. Conclusion

After 12 intense rounds, it's clear: Both systems are great – but they target very different audiences.

The overall victory goes to Payload (9:4).

Payload was convincing in most areas:

• It's developer-first and perfectly suited for modern projects with Next.js, monorepos, and TypeScript.
• With features like the Local API, native i18n, and the ability to fully customize the admin interface, Payload is unbeatable for teams that want maximum control and performance.

Choose Payload if...

• your team is developer-focused.
• you love monorepos and need typed data models.
• you want a customized solution without compromises.

And what about content teams?

A "code-first CMS" often seems daunting to content managers – but with Payload, the opposite is true:

• The admin interface is intuitive, modern, and streamlined.
• Editors can maintain content without fear of damaging the frontend or design.
• Thanks to the strict separation of content and code, Payload is particularly secure – all visual components are implemented and tested by us as the development team.

This means: Your team only cares about content. We, as developers, handle the technical side and ensure that everything works reliably.

Strapi remains an excellent choice

Strapi is no loser – it has excelled where speed and user-friendliness are required:

• The admin UI is intuitive, plugins are numerous, and the learning curve is flat.
• Strapi is ideal for teams with editors or smaller projects that need results quickly.

Choose Strapi if…

• you are primarily looking for a visual CMS.
• your focus is on relational databases.
• your project needs to go live quickly, without a lot of code.

Final score: Payload 9 – Strapi 4

Payload is the winner for modern developer workflows. Strapi remains the champion for content teams and fast MVPs.