Contento vs Payload CMS
Contento
contento.io
Payload CMS
payloadcms.comSide by side
| Figure | Contento | Payload CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $40/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Headless CMS | 8.2 (#18) | 8.5 (#11) |
| API types | rest | both |
| Asset transformations | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | The maker describes Contento as API-based and lists Next.js, Nuxt, and Gatsby among typical static-site generators used with it. | Official plugins include Form Builder, MCP, Multi-Tenant, Search, Sentry, SEO, Stripe, Import/Export, and Ecommerce. |
| Content localization | Yes | Yes |
| Content preview | Yes | Yes |
| Product | Contento is a headless CMS with website-focused features for developers and content editors. | Payload describes itself as an open-source, Next.js full-stack framework and backend for building websites and applications. |
| Security | The maker describes the product as an API-based CMS and says its architecture helps reduce typical website security headaches. | Payload’s security page describes SSO with SAML or OAuth 2.0, HttpOnly-cookie authentication, field-level access control, CSRF prevention, and configurable CORS. |
| Support | Community includes email support, Pro includes same-day Slack support, and Enterprise includes 24/7 online support and team workshops. | The self-hosted free option includes community support, while the Enterprise option includes dedicated support. |
Plans
In their own words
Payload CMS
Payload CMS is an open-source TypeScript framework and backend for building websites and applications. A configuration provides an admin panel, database migrations, REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication, access control, file storage, and live preview. Its stated uses include headless CMS projects, internal tools, commerce, and digital asset management. Content capabilities include localization, custom role permissions, webhooks, preview, and asset transformations. Official database adapters support MongoDB, Postgres, and SQLite, while plugins cover functions such as forms, search, SEO, and ecommerce. The code is released under the MIT License, and the free self-hosted option includes community support. Payload can run wherever a Node.js app can run, with starter templates for Vercel and Cloudflare; getting started requires Node.js 20.9.0 or later, a JavaScript package manager, and a compatible database. Enterprise features include SSO, visual editing, publishing workflows, AI auto-embedding, and static A/B testing.