Payload
Open-source TypeScript headless CMS with a React admin UI, powerful access control, media handling, and first-class Next.js integration for modern content-driven apps.
Payload is a TypeScript-first headless CMS and application framework built on Node.js, designed to power content-driven websites and products with a fully customizable admin UI and developer-friendly APIs. It models your data as code, generates REST/GraphQL endpoints, and supports rich content editing, media, and granular access control.
Key Features
- TypeScript-first configuration with schema-driven Collections/Globals
- Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs from your content models
- React-based Admin UI with extensible fields, custom views, and role-aware controls
- Authentication and authorization with granular, field-level access control
- Drafts, versions, autosave, and scheduled publishing (via jobs/workflows depending on setup)
- Media management with upload storage adapters and image processing integrations
- Relationship fields, localization (i18n), and rich content editing blocks
- First-class Next.js integration for live preview and modern app routing patterns
Use Cases
- Headless CMS for marketing sites, documentation, and multi-page web properties
- Content backend for Next.js applications (blogs, ecommerce content, directories)
- Internal tools/content operations portal with custom admin workflows
Limitations and Considerations
- Requires Node.js/TypeScript proficiency; configuration is code-centric rather than purely UI-driven
- Some advanced workflows (e.g., background jobs, complex publishing flows) may require additional setup/plugins
Payload is well-suited for teams that want strong typing, code-defined content models, and a customizable admin experience. It provides both API-first delivery and tight integration with modern React/Next.js stacks, making it a practical foundation for bespoke content platforms and products.