Payload vs Sanity

Side-by-side — pricing, strengths, tradeoffs, and fit.

Payload

Code-first, TypeScript headless CMS you self-host with your own database.

Sanity

Headless CMS with a real-time, customizable content studio and structured content.

At a glance

Open SourceFree TierEnterprise
● Established·From $0 self-hosted
Free TierEnterprise
● Established·From $15/user/mo

Overview

One-liner

Code-first, TypeScript headless CMS you self-host with your own database.

One-liner

Headless CMS with a real-time, customizable content studio and structured content.

Maturity

Established

Maturity

Established

Open source

✓ Yes

Open source

✕ No

Pricing

Free tier

✓ Available

Open source, self-hosted free

Free tier

✓ Available

Free tier with generous usage and 3 users

Starts at

$0 self-hosted

Starts at

$15/user/mo

Model

Flat rate

Model

Per seat

Enterprise

✓ Available

Enterprise

✓ Available

Best for

✓ Best for

Developer teams wanting a code-first CMSTypeScript config and full data ownership
Apps needing CMS + backendDoubles as an app framework

✓ Best for

Custom content workflowsTailor the Studio to editors’ needs
Structured, multi-channel contentModel once, deliver anywhere via API

Not ideal for

✕ Not for

Marketing teams who need a visual, no-code CMS experience

✕ Not for

—

Strengths

↑ Strengths

Code-first, TypeScript-native
Self-hosted with your own DB
Generated admin UI

↑ Strengths

Highly customizable Studio
Structured content + GROQ
Real-time collaboration

Weaknesses

↓ Weaknesses

Developer-oriented setup
You run the infrastructure

↓ Weaknesses

Learning curve for modeling/GROQ
Usage-based costs can grow
Full Payload profile →Full Sanity profile →