# Payload CMS vs Strapi Comparison

| | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.9 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 59 | 204 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (86.2% of reviews) | Small-Business (79.6% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Free | Free With One-Time Purchase | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Payload CMS

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

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

### Strapi

Pros:
- Ease of Use (14 reviews)
- Flexibility (10 reviews)

Cons:
- Developer Challenges (5 reviews)
- Learning Curve (5 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (56 reviews) | 8.7 (125 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.0 (56 reviews) | 8.9 (129 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.1 (48 reviews) | 8.7 (105 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.3 (47 reviews) | 8.8 (95 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.3 (55 reviews) | 8.4 (86 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.4 (35 reviews) | 8.6 (66 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 10.0 (55 reviews) | 8.5 (99 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### 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

### Strapi

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Community

Price: Free With One-Time Purchase

Key Features:
- Open-Source under MIT License
- REST & GraphQL API
- Up to 3 default roles

[Browse all 5 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/strapi/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Web Content Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Payload CMS** | 9.4/10 | 7 |
| **Strapi** | 8.0/10 | 64 |

#### Content

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Content Authoring** | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 8.7 (61 reviews) | 
| **Rich Text Editor** | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (58 reviews) | 
| **Versioning** | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 7.9 (49 reviews) | 
| **Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 7.9 (53 reviews) | 
| **Approval Process** | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (44 reviews) | 
| **Content Scheduling** | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 7.4 (39 reviews) | 
| **Asset Management** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (55 reviews) | 
| **Internal Search** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 7.7 (52 reviews) | 
| **Content Repository** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (51 reviews) | 

#### Design

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Breadth of Pre-Built Templates** | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 7.0 (41 reviews) | 
| **Mobile** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 6.8 (41 reviews) | 
| **Branding/Themes** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 7.1 (39 reviews) | 
| **Customization** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 7.7 (48 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **User Community** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 8.0 (49 reviews) | 
| **SEO** | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 8.5 (43 reviews) | 
| **Flexible Navigation Structures** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (46 reviews) | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 8.6 (55 reviews) | 
| **Enterprise Scalability** | 9.8 (7 reviews) | 8.5 (43 reviews) | 
| **Internationalization** | 9.3 (7 reviews) | 8.2 (40 reviews) | 
| **Dashboards and Reports** | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 7.4 (39 reviews) | 
| **API / Integrations** | 10.0 (7 reviews) | 8.6 (54 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Web Content Management

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

### Headless CMS

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Payload CMS** | 8.7/10 | 46 |
| **Strapi** | 7.4/10 | 68 |

#### Publishing

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Automated Publishing** | 8.9 (25 reviews) | 7.7 (49 reviews) | 
| **Multi-language** | 9.1 (35 reviews) | 7.9 (49 reviews) | 
| **AR/VR Capability** | 6.8 (12 reviews) | 4.3 (31 reviews) | 

#### Development

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Image Management** | 8.4 (43 reviews) | 7.8 (49 reviews) | 
| **Reuseable Content** | 9.4 (42 reviews) | 8.5 (47 reviews) | 
| **Unlimited Environments** | 8.8 (29 reviews) | 7.4 (48 reviews) | 
| **Form Builder** | 8.8 (26 reviews) | 7.4 (47 reviews) | 

#### Analytics

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Personalization** | 8.6 (40 reviews) | 7.4 (44 reviews) | 
| **Content Performance** | 9.2 (44 reviews) | 7.9 (43 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Headless CMS

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 7.2 (6 reviews) | 

### E-Commerce Platforms

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

#### Headless Commerce

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

#### Agentic AI - E-Commerce Platforms

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 |
|---|---|---|
| **Payload CMS** | N/A | N/A |
| **Strapi** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

| Feature | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **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 (2):** [Headless CMS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/headless-cms), [Web Content Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/web-content-management)

**Unique to Payload CMS (1):** [E-Commerce Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-platforms)

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


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Payload CMS | Strapi | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 86.2% | 79.6% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 13.8% | 16.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 0% | 3.6% | 

### By Industry

#### 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%

#### Strapi

- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 19.5%
- **Computer Software:** 14.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 9.7%
- **Education Management:** 7.7%
- **Higher Education:** 5.6%
- **Financial Services:** 3.6%
- **Entertainment:** 2.6%
- **Primary/Secondary Education:** 2.6%
- **Program Development:** 2.6%
- **E-Learning:** 2.1%
- **Other:** 29.2%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Payload CMS

- [Sanity](https://www.g2.com/products/sanity/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (915 reviews)
- [Contentful](https://www.g2.com/products/contentful/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Storyblok](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblok/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (585 reviews)
- [Drupal](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (424 reviews)
- [Hygraph](https://www.g2.com/products/hygraph/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (720 reviews)
- [Umbraco](https://www.g2.com/products/umbraco/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1008 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 (9532 reviews)
- [Shopify Plus](https://www.g2.com/products/shopify-plus/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (871 reviews)
- [Adobe Experience Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-experience-manager/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (674 reviews)

### Alternatives to Strapi

- [Umbraco](https://www.g2.com/products/umbraco/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1008 reviews)
- [Sanity](https://www.g2.com/products/sanity/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (915 reviews)
- [Hygraph](https://www.g2.com/products/hygraph/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (720 reviews)
- [Storyblok](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblok/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (585 reviews)
- [Contentful](https://www.g2.com/products/contentful/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Contentstack](https://www.g2.com/products/contentstack/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (306 reviews)
- [Butter CMS](https://www.g2.com/products/butter-cms/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (206 reviews)
- [Kontent.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/kontent-ai/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (195 reviews)
- [Directus](https://www.g2.com/products/directus/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Craft CMS](https://www.g2.com/products/craft-cms/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (48 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Payload CMS

No discussions available for this product.

### Strapi

- Title: [What is Strapi used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-strapi-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is a CMS that gives you more problems than it solves"
- Title: [What is the best way to deploy Strapi v4 on Azure Web App/Azure Services?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-deploy-strapi-v4-on-azure-web-app-azure-services) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Using an Azure Resource Manager template. Follow the guide here:..."

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