Payload vs Strapi

Payload vs Strapi
Fact	Payload	Strapi
Language	TypeScript	TypeScript
Licence	MIT	Other
Stars	45k	73k
Latest	v3.90.2	v5.56.0
Last push	2026-10-06	2026-10-06
Release cadence	about 5 days between releases	about 7 days between releases
Active contributors	36 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days	72 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days
Flags	none	none

How they relate

Payload replaces Strapi. Alternatives to Strapi →
Full replacementConfig-as-code CMS that runs inside a Next.js app.
Both replace Contentful. Alternatives to Contentful →
Full replacementPayloadContent modelled in TypeScript config, with an admin panel and REST, GraphQL and local APIs.
Full replacementStrapiContent types, REST and GraphQL APIs, roles and i18n, in Node.js.

v4.0.0-canary.372026-09-24default overrideAccess to false in the Local API (#17869) (744bfcf)pre-release
v3.90.22026-09-23await slugify func to match type (#18181) (3fad98e)
v3.90.12026-09-18do not carry parent where queries into nested relationship fields (#18212) (d5ead4b)
v3.90.02026-09-18⚠️ This release contains a set of critical security fixes. Please review the following notes and upgrade as soon as pos…
v3.89.02026-09-10ui: add warning type to Banner (#17750) (6e5f386)

v5.56.02026-09-30admin: record admin account and password actions in audit logs (#27748)
v5.55.12026-09-24This is a hotfix release patching v5.55.0 that were causing a performance drop for the projects that have the documenta…
v5.55.02026-09-23admin: record token management in audit logs (#27605)
v5.54.02026-09-16We've been heads-down on this for months, and it's the change we're most excited to put in your hands: the redesigned M…
v5.53.02026-09-09Add an export audit logs button (#27427)

unsigned The latest release, v3.90.2, carries no signature GitHub could verify.

Loading the security report

unsigned The latest release, v5.56.0, carries no signature GitHub could verify.

Loading the security report