headless CMS / content management
Payload is an open-source, Next.js-native fullstack framework that provides a headless CMS, TypeScript backend, admin panel, and REST/GraphQL APIs.
Same problem, same approach. Swapping one for another is a config change, not a rewrite.
For a standalone headless CMS with a large plugin ecosystem and no Next.js lock-in.
🚀 Strapi is the leading open-source headless CMS. It’s 100% JavaScript/TypeScript, fully customizable, and developer-first.
For a GraphQL-first, code-defined CMS on Node.js without Next.js.
The superpowered headless CMS for Node.js — built with GraphQL and React
Solves the same problem with a different architecture or at a different layer. Expect to rewrite the integration.
For visual, AI-agent-driven site management instead of a code-first CMS.
Agent-native visual CMS. Build sites with Claude/Codex/whatever, manage them visually.
To expose an existing SQL DB as a CMS/API with a pre-built admin UI, less code-first.
The flexible backend for all your projects 🐰 Turn your DB into a headless CMS, admin panels, or apps with a custom UI, instant APIs, auth & more.
For in-context editing and a full-page CMS framework with headless options.
A full-featured, open-source content management framework built with Node.js that empowers organizations by combining in-context editing and headless architecture in a full-stack JS environment.
For a PHP-based CMS with mature content modeling and an enterprise admin experience.
Build bespoke content experiences with Craft.
For a headless CMS on Cloudflare Workers with edge performance.
SonicJS - The edge-native headless CMS for Cloudflare Workers. Sub-100ms response times, zero cold starts, TypeScript-first. Built on D1, R2, and Hono.
For a Laravel/Vue admin panel and CRUD API generator in a PHP stack.
Laravel Vue headless CMS / admin panel / dashboard / builder / API CRUD generator, anything !
For Java enterprise CMS needs with visual authoring and headless delivery.
The Visual Headless Content Management System for Enterprises
For a .NET/Core CMS with headless APIs and customizable content structures.
🚀 A future-proof enterprise web CMS supporting both headless and decoupled approaches. Build any type of app with customizable APIs on ASP.NET Core/.NET Core. Completely open-source and designed for flexibility. Since 2018.
For a Laravel CMS with AI capabilities and modern GraphQL/JSON APIs.
Easy, flexible and powerful cloud-native Laravel CMS package powered by AI with JSON:API, GraphQL API, templates, and themes
For a Laravel-based application platform with a headless CMS.
VaahCMS is a laravel based open-source web application development platform shipped with a headless content management system (CMS).
For a Hono/Drizzle-based edge headless CMS with a TypeScript framework.
A headless CMS framework using Hono + Drizzle + Zod + Vite
For a self-hosted, multi-tenant CMS on AWS serverless with lifecycle hooks.
Open-source, self-hosted CMS platform on AWS serverless (Lambda, DynamoDB, S3). TypeScript framework with multi-tenancy, lifecycle hooks, GraphQL API, and AI-assisted development via MCP server. Built for developers at large organizations.
For a visual React builder that can also manage content and generate pages.
Visual builder for React. Build apps, websites, and content. Integrate with your codebase.
An earlier or more limited way to do the job. Still the right call when you need something small, proven, or CPU-only.
For a mature, serverless Git-based CMS on static sites.
A Git-based CMS for Static Site Generators
For visual editing on a Git-backed site with React components.
TinaCMS is the leading open-source headless CMS that supports Markdown and Visual Editing. Your content is stored in your own GitHub repo 🦙 ❤️
For lightweight Markdown/YAML content with a TypeScript API, no database.
First class CMS experience, TypeScript API, Markdown & YAML/JSON based, no DB
For a streamlined TypeScript CMS with file-based content storage.
Content management, streamlined
These projects were analysed and named payload among their alternatives. The relationship is not symmetric — how payload rates them is a separate judgement, made when payload is analysed in its own right.
calls payload “Choose for a code-first, Next.js-native headless CMS with TypeScript end-to-end, preferred by teams already in the Next.js ecosystem.”
🚀 Strapi is the leading open-source headless CMS. It’s 100% JavaScript/TypeScript, fully customizable, and developer-first.
calls payload “Choose when you want a TypeScript CMS tightly integrated with Next.js and running on any Node deployment, not just AWS serverless.”
Open-source, self-hosted CMS platform on AWS serverless (Lambda, DynamoDB, S3). TypeScript framework with multi-tenancy, lifecycle hooks, GraphQL API, and AI-assisted development via MCP server. Built for developers at large organizations.
calls payload “Choose for a TypeScript headless CMS and backend framework that integrates closely with Next.js.”
The flexible backend for all your projects 🐰 Turn your DB into a headless CMS, admin panels, or apps with a custom UI, instant APIs, auth & more.
calls payload “fullstack headless CMS/backend framework; choose when you need a real database and API instead of Git as content store”
A Git-based CMS for Static Site Generators
calls payload “Choose when you need a full-featured database-backed CMS with a React admin panel, not file-based content.”
TinaCMS is the leading open-source headless CMS that supports Markdown and Visual Editing. Your content is stored in your own GitHub repo 🦙 ❤️
calls payload “Choose if you want a code-first Next.js-integrated backend/admin instead of a standalone Node.js GraphQL CMS.”
The superpowered headless CMS for Node.js — built with GraphQL and React