# payloadcms/payload

> Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin panel instantly. Use Payload as a headless CMS or for building powerful applications.

- GitHub: https://github.com/payloadcms/payload
- Website: https://payloadcms.com
- Category: Self-hosted Apps (https://ideas.asveas.com/c/selfhost)
- Tags: cms, content-management, content-management-system, express, graphql, headless, jamstack, javascript, mit-license, mongodb, nextjs, node, payload, payloadcms
- Language: TypeScript · License: MIT
- Stars: 45,776 · Forks: 4,422 · Open issues: 1,574
- Last push: 2026-11-11 (today)
- Vibe score: 92/100

## What it is
Payload is the first-ever Next.js native CMS that can install directly in your existing /app folder. It's the start of a new era for headless CMS. It's both an app framework & headless CMS Deploy anywhere, including serverless on Vercel for free Combine your front+backend in the same /app folder if you want Don't sign up for yet another SaaS - Payload is open source Query your database in React Server Components Both admin and backend are 100% extensible No vendor lock-in Never touch ancient WP code again Build faster, never hit a roadblock

## When to use it
Reach for payload when you'd rather own a ready-made product (analytics, CMS, CRM…) than pay for SaaS — it's written in TypeScript and fits stacks tagged cms, content-management, content-management-system, express.

## Maintenance
payloadcms/payload looks very actively maintained: the last push was today (2026-11-11), with 45,776 stars and 1,574 open issues.

## Quick start
```bash
git clone https://github.com/payloadcms/payload.git
```

## Alternatives in Self-hosted Apps
- [louislam/uptime-kuma](https://github.com/louislam/uptime-kuma) — A fancy self-hosted monitoring tool (★93.5k, JavaScript, vibe 95/100) · details: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/louislam/uptime-kuma
- [hoppscotch/hoppscotch](https://github.com/hoppscotch/hoppscotch) — Open-Source API Development Ecosystem • https://hoppscotch.io • Offline, On-Prem & Cloud • Web, Desktop & CLI • Open-Source Alternative to Postman, Insomnia (★80.8k, TypeScript, vibe 95/100) · details: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/hoppscotch/hoppscotch
- [grafana/grafana](https://github.com/grafana/grafana) — The open and composable observability and data visualization platform. Visualize metrics, logs, and traces from multiple sources like Prometheus, Loki, Elasticsearch, InfluxDB, Postgres and many more. (★77.8k, TypeScript, vibe 95/100) · details: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/grafana/grafana
- [strapi/strapi](https://github.com/strapi/strapi) — 🚀 Strapi is the leading open-source headless CMS. It’s 100% JavaScript/TypeScript, fully customizable, and developer-first. (★73.5k, TypeScript, vibe 94/100) · details: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/strapi/strapi
- [twentyhq/twenty](https://github.com/twentyhq/twenty) — The open alternative to Salesforce, designed for AI. (★60.8k, TypeScript, vibe 93/100) · details: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/twentyhq/twenty
- [calcom/cal.diy](https://github.com/calcom/cal.diy) — Scheduling infrastructure for absolutely everyone. (★49.9k, TypeScript, vibe 92/100) · details: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/calcom/cal.diy

---
Source: https://ideas.asveas.com/r/payloadcms/payload · Catalog: https://ideas.asveas.com/llms.txt