Squidex vs Payload CMS

Squidex9.0Visit Payload CMS8.8Visit

Higher score Squidex #4 in Headless CMS 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Squidex

vs

Payload CMS #6 in Headless CMS 8.8/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Payload CMS

• Squidex fits best

  Developers wanting open-source deployment options

• Payload CMS fits best

  Developers building self-hosted TypeScript systems

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Side by side

Feature	Squidex 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Payload CMS 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#4 in Headless CMS	#6 in Headless CMS
Best for	Developers wanting open-source deployment options	Developers building self-hosted TypeScript systems
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Compliance	GDPR	GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations	15 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Squidex 4/4 · Payload CMS 4/4
Content localization	✓	✓
Webhooks	✓	✓
Content preview	✓	✓
Asset transformations	✓	✓
Specs
API types	Both	Both
Role permissions	Custom	Custom
Our review
Pros	Self-hosting with Docker or Kubernetes deployment options REST and GraphQL APIs with structured schemas and localized content Fine-grained permissions, previews, version history, and image processing	REST and GraphQL APIs support flexible content delivery Field- and document-level access control supports custom permissions Next.js integration, drafts, previews, and localization support modern builds
Cons	Self-hosted deployments require Docker or Kubernetes operations Usage limits vary across API, traffic, storage, and contributor tiers The platform may exceed the needs of teams seeking a simpler CMS	Self-hosting requires teams to manage deployment and infrastructure Payload Cloud deployment of new projects is currently paused The code-first approach may not suit teams seeking a no-code CMS
Our verdict	Squidex is an open-source headless CMS for teams managing structured content, assets, schemas, workflows, and localized entries. Developers can deliver content to websites, mobile applications, and other digital products through REST and… Read the review →	Payload CMS is an open-source, code-first headless CMS and TypeScript application framework for developers, marketers, agencies, and enterprise teams. It supports configurable collections and global documents, authentication, custom access… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Squidex — where it wins

  • Self-hosting with Docker or Kubernetes deployment options
  • REST and GraphQL APIs with structured schemas and localized content
  • Fine-grained permissions, previews, version history, and image processing

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployments require Docker or Kubernetes operations
  • Usage limits vary across API, traffic, storage, and contributor tiers
  • The platform may exceed the needs of teams seeking a simpler CMS

• Payload CMS — where it wins

  • REST and GraphQL APIs support flexible content delivery
  • Field- and document-level access control supports custom permissions
  • Next.js integration, drafts, previews, and localization support modern builds

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosting requires teams to manage deployment and infrastructure
  • Payload Cloud deployment of new projects is currently paused
  • The code-first approach may not suit teams seeking a no-code CMS

• Squidex9.0/10 · Free plan

  A flexible headless CMS for teams that want open-source or hosted deployment.

  Visit SquidexFull verdict →
• Payload CMS8.8/10 · Open source

  A TypeScript-first CMS for teams building self-hosted, API-driven applications.

  Visit Payload CMSFull verdict →