# Drupal vs Payload CMS Comparison

| | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 3.9 out of 5 | 4.9 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 424 | 59 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (42.5% of reviews) | Small-Business (86.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Free | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Drupal

Pros:
- Customer Support (2 reviews)
- Customizability (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Difficulty (2 reviews)
- Upgrade Difficulties (2 reviews)

### Payload CMS

Pros:
- Community Support (3 reviews)
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)

Cons:
- Lack of Customization (1 reviews)
- Limited Community Support (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.3 (353 reviews) | 9.4 (56 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 6.8 (356 reviews) | 9.0 (56 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 6.6 (224 reviews) | 9.1 (48 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 7.2 (231 reviews) | 9.3 (47 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.4 (288 reviews) | 9.3 (55 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 7.6 (175 reviews) | 9.4 (35 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 6.7 (345 reviews) | 10.0 (55 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Drupal

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Payload CMS

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Self-Hosted

Price: Free

Description: Get started in one-line: $ npx create-payload-app

Key Features:
- Completely free and open-source
- GraphQL, REST, and Local APIs
- Easily customizable ReactJS Admin

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/payload-cms/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Web Content Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Drupal** | 7.9/10 | 321 |
| **Payload CMS** | 9.4/10 | 7 |

#### Content

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Content Authoring** | 8.3 (289 reviews) ✓ Verified | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 
| **Rich Text Editor** | 7.8 (280 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 
| **Versioning** | 7.9 (248 reviews) ✓ Verified | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 
| **Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps** | 7.9 (268 reviews) | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **Approval Process** | 7.7 (234 reviews) ✓ Verified | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 
| **Content Scheduling** | 7.7 (234 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Asset Management** | 7.3 (254 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 
| **Internal Search** | 7.4 (269 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **Content Repository** | 7.9 (257 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 

#### Design

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Breadth of Pre-Built Templates** | 7.1 (255 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Mobile** | 7.6 (262 reviews) | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 
| **Branding/Themes** | 7.6 (262 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 
| **Customization** | 8.3 (280 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **User Community** | 8.5 (246 reviews) | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **SEO** | 8.1 (253 reviews) | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 
| **Flexible Navigation Structures** | 8.1 (266 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | 8.5 (274 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **Enterprise Scalability** | 8.4 (232 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 
| **Internationalization** | 8.2 (210 reviews) ✓ Verified | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Dashboards and Reports** | 7.6 (236 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 
| **API / Integrations** | 8.1 (228 reviews) ✓ Verified | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Web Content Management

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Headless CMS

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Drupal** | N/A | N/A |
| **Payload CMS** | 8.7/10 | 46 |

#### Publishing

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Automated Publishing** | Not enough data | 8.9 (25 reviews) | 
| **Multi-language** | Not enough data | 9.1 (35 reviews) | 
| **AR/VR Capability** | Not enough data | 6.8 (12 reviews) | 

#### Development

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Image Management** | Not enough data | 8.4 (43 reviews) | 
| **Reuseable Content** | Not enough data | 9.4 (42 reviews) | 
| **Unlimited Environments** | Not enough data | 8.8 (29 reviews) | 
| **Form Builder** | Not enough data | 8.8 (26 reviews) | 

#### Analytics

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Personalization** | Not enough data | 8.6 (40 reviews) | 
| **Content Performance** | Not enough data | 9.2 (44 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Headless CMS

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### E-Commerce Platforms

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Drupal** | N/A | N/A |
| **Payload CMS** | N/A | N/A |

#### Headless Commerce

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Decoupling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **REST APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Orchestration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Extensibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - E-Commerce Platforms

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Merchandising/Marketing

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storefront Design Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Product Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Recommendations / Personalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Promotions and Discounts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Shopping Cart Abandonment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Product Reviews** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SEO** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Product Catalog

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Content Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Product Configuration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Product Search and Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intangible Products** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Order Process

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Checkout Process** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Shipping Options** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Tax Display and Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Payment Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Order Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Returns / Refunds** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Inventory Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-Channel Fulfillment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Multi-Channel Support

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Omnichannel** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Social Commerce** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customer Service** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Store Locator** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **3rd-Party Store Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **B2B** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integrations to Add-on Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting / Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-Site Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Admin Access Rights** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Test-to-Product Migration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross Browser Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### AWS Marketplace

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Drupal** | N/A | N/A |
| **Payload CMS** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

| Feature | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Web Content Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/web-content-management)

**Unique to Drupal (1):** [AWS Marketplace Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/aws-marketplace)

**Unique to Payload CMS (2):** [Headless CMS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/headless-cms), [E-Commerce Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-platforms)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Drupal | Payload CMS | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 42.5% | 86.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 35.3% | 13.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 22.1% | 0% | 

### By Industry

#### Drupal

- **Information Technology and Services:** 13.7%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 8.7%
- **Computer Software:** 8.2%
- **Higher Education:** 7.7%
- **Education Management:** 5.2%
- **Internet:** 5.0%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 4.5%
- **Retail:** 2.7%
- **Publishing:** 2.0%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 40.3%

#### Payload CMS

- **Computer Software:** 32.8%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 13.8%
- **Design:** 8.6%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 6.9%
- **Internet:** 5.2%
- **Program Development:** 3.4%
- **Information Services:** 3.4%
- **Apparel & Fashion:** 1.7%
- **Arts and Crafts:** 1.7%
- **Automotive:** 1.7%
- **Other:** 20.7%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Drupal

- [WordPress.org](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (9515 reviews)
- [Webflow](https://www.g2.com/products/webflow/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (989 reviews)
- [Umbraco](https://www.g2.com/products/umbraco/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (970 reviews)
- [Sanity](https://www.g2.com/products/sanity/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (915 reviews)
- [Adobe Experience Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-experience-manager/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (673 reviews)
- [Sitecore Digital Experience Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/sitecore-digital-experience-platform/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (585 reviews)
- [Progress Sitefinity](https://www.g2.com/products/progress-sitefinity/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (541 reviews)
- [Joomla](https://www.g2.com/products/joomla/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (387 reviews)
- [Kentico](https://www.g2.com/products/kentico/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (365 reviews)
- [Contentful](https://www.g2.com/products/contentful/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (324 reviews)

### Alternatives to Payload CMS

- [Sanity](https://www.g2.com/products/sanity/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (915 reviews)
- [Strapi](https://www.g2.com/products/strapi/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (204 reviews)
- [Contentful](https://www.g2.com/products/contentful/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (324 reviews)
- [Storyblok](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblok/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (572 reviews)
- [Hygraph](https://www.g2.com/products/hygraph/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (716 reviews)
- [Umbraco](https://www.g2.com/products/umbraco/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (970 reviews)
- [Prismic](https://www.g2.com/products/prismic/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (361 reviews)
- [WordPress.org](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (9515 reviews)
- [Shopify Plus](https://www.g2.com/products/shopify-plus/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (865 reviews)
- [Adobe Experience Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-experience-manager/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (673 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Drupal

- Title: [What make drupal one of the best CMS in the world?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/35339-what-make-drupal-one-of-the-best-cms-in-the-world) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Though it it built on a very specific framework (PHP, Symfony), it is extremely easy to connect other technologies to the system. "
- Title: [Version](https://www.g2.com/discussions/10421-version) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Drupal has a specific core release cycle: major, minor, and patch releases. 
Usually, Drupal core updates (bug fixes) are released once in a month but in..."

### Payload CMS

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/drupal-vs-payload-cms)