Open Source
Payload
by payloadcms
Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin panel instantly.
Our verdict
We have not reviewed Payload yet
No one at Enterprise DNA has checked this listing against its sources. The description comes from public listings gathered automatically. Any fact below shows where it came from and when it was last checked.
From the listing
About Payload
Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin panel instantly. Use Payload as a headless CMS or for building powerful applications.
Best for
Developers building fullstack Next.js applications that need a robust, self-hosted CMS and backend.
Use cases
- Build a custom CMS with a TypeScript backend and admin UI
- Create a fullstack Next.js app with a built-in REST and GraphQL API
- Manage content and data models without leaving the Next.js ecosystem
Notes
45,573 stars on GitHub. Last updated 2026-10-29. Licensed MIT.
Indexed from swap-build. Verified against the live GitHub repo.
Pros
- Deep integration with Next.js and TypeScript
- Open-source with a large community (45k+ stars)
- Provides a ready-to-use admin panel
Cons
- Tied to Next.js, not framework-agnostic
- May be overkill for simple static sites
- Learning curve for customizing the admin panel
Key facts
What we have checked
- Latest prerelease version
- 4.0.0-beta.7 (released 4 Nov 2026)
- Days since the last commit
- 0
- GitHub forks
- 4,405
- GitHub stars
- 45,719
- Open issues
- 588
- Releases in the last 90 days
- 20
Each value shows when we last confirmed it and where it came from. Values we have not confirmed are left out, never guessed.
Stars and usage
How Payload is growing
45,600 to 45,719
Health and security
Is Payload looked after, and what do its setup files show
Health score
100 out of 100
| Part | Points | What we saw |
|---|---|---|
| Recent activity | 30 of 30 | Last push 0 days ago |
| Releases | 15 of 15 | 20 releases in 90 days |
| Issue replies | Not counted | The latest check has no issue response reading (fewer than 3 measured issues, or issues switched off) |
| Maintainer | 15 of 15 | Owned by an organisation |
| Official source | Not counted | MCP servers only |
Alternatives
Alternatives to Payload
| Record | Type | How we know | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| WebflowThis is an alternative to it | Product | Linked recordGitHub |
Compare
Compare Payload side by side
Sources
Where this comes from
A source shows what was published when we checked it. It does not certify security, performance or a working installation. Read our method.
Changelog
What changed
Released 4.0.0-beta.7
Released 3.93.0
Released 4.0.0-beta.6
Released 3.92.1
Released 4.0.0-beta.5
Released 3.92.0
Released 4.0.0-beta.4
Released 4.0.0-beta.3
Released 4.0.0-beta.2
Released 3.91.0
Released 4.0.0-beta.1
Released 4.0.0-beta.0
Released 4.0.0-canary.39
Released 4.0.0-canary.38
Released 4.0.0-canary.37
Open-source & AI alternatives
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