About Payload
Payload is an open source headless CMS and application framework built with TypeScript and React. It is designed for developers who want to define content and logic in code.
What it does
Payload lets developers describe their content as code, including collections, fields and access rules. The admin panel is generated from that configuration, so editors get an interface without a separate build step. Because the project is code-based, it can run alongside a Next.js application and be extended with custom logic. It is often used for websites, internal tools and commerce backends.
Key features
- Content collections defined in code
- Admin panel built from your configuration
- Access control rules for each collection
- Multi-language content support
- Built-in user authentication
Who it's for
Developers and agencies who want to own their stack and customise every part of it. Teams that build several client sites can reuse the same setup. Marketing teams can edit content once a developer has set up the models.
Pricing and good to know
The core project is open source under the MIT licence and can be self-hosted. Starting a new project is a single command-line step. Enterprise plans are offered after a demo request. Self-hosting means you manage hosting, the database and upgrades yourself.
Highlights
- Define collections and fields in TypeScript
- Generate an admin panel from your config
- Set access control rules per collection
- Support content in multiple languages
- Use built-in user authentication
