Compare / Payload CMS
Nextly vs Payload CMS.
Our closest competitor. Both are code-first, TypeScript-native, and Next.js-integrated. Payload is more mature and production-proven. Nextly offers both code-first and visual approaches.
At a Glance
Quick comparison
| Aspect | Nextly | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Approach | Code-first + Visual | Code-first only |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Database | Postgres, MySQL, SQLite | Postgres, MongoDB, SQLite |
| Deployment | Single codebase (/admin) | Single codebase (/admin) |
| Pricing | Free forever (self-hosted) | Free self-hosted |
| GraphQL | In the Now lane | Yes (REST + GraphQL) |
| Community | Alpha | 44,000+ GitHub stars |
Where Payload Excels
Maturity and community
Payload is on version 3+ with years of production use, a large community (44,000+ GitHub stars), extensive tutorials, and real-world battle testing.
GraphQL support
Built-in GraphQL API out of the box alongside REST. Nextly offers REST and the Direct API; GraphQL is in the Now lane.
Rich plugin ecosystem
A growing collection of third-party plugins, integrations, and community-contributed extensions.
Deployment options
Payload deploys anywhere Next.js runs, with published guides for the common hosts. Payload Cloud is not currently taking new projects: its pricing page redirects to the Figma announcement. Nextly is self-hosted only.
Where Nextly Differs
Dual approach: code-first + visual
Schema Builder for non-technical users plus code-first schema definitions for developers. Payload is code-only, every schema change requires a developer.
MySQL and broader SQL support
Nextly supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite via Drizzle ORM. Payload supports PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and SQLite.
SQL-only architecture
Clean SQL-only approach with Drizzle ORM. No document database complexity or document-relational impedance mismatch.
Features
Feature by feature
| Feature | Nextly | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Offering | Planned | Partial |
| Code-First Config | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Config | Yes | No |
| TypeScript Native | Yes | Yes |
| Next.js Integration | Yes | Yes |
| REST API | Yes | Yes |
| GraphQL | Planned | Yes |
| Rich Text Editor | Yes | Yes |
| Media Library | Yes | Yes |
| Access Control / RBAC | Yes | Yes |
| Hooks / Lifecycle | Yes | Yes |
| i18n / Localization | Yes | Yes |
| Content Versioning | Yes | Yes |
| Preview | Partial | Yes |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| Plugins / Marketplace | Partial | Yes |
| Database Support | Yes | Yes |
| Community Size | Partial | Yes |
Decision Guide
Which one is right for you?
Choose Payload if you need:
- •A production-proven, mature CMS
- •GraphQL API support
- •MongoDB as your database
- •A large community with extensive resources
Choose Nextly if you need:
- •Both code-first and visual content management
- •MySQL database support
- •Non-technical team members managing content via UI
- •SQL-only architecture without MongoDB complexity
- •A fully free, self-hosted MIT-licensed solution
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between Nextly and Payload CMS?
Both are code-first and TypeScript-native, and both run inside Next.js. The key difference is approach: Payload is code-only, requiring a developer for every schema change. Nextly offers both code-first definitions and a visual Schema Builder, so non-technical team members can also manage content structure.
Does Nextly support GraphQL like Payload?
Not yet. Nextly currently offers a REST API and a Direct API for querying content in server components with zero overhead. GraphQL support is on the roadmap. Payload supports both REST and GraphQL out of the box.
Is Nextly or Payload CMS better for non-technical teams?
Nextly is designed for mixed teams. Its visual Schema Builder lets non-developers create and modify content types without writing code. Payload requires code changes for every schema modification, which means a developer is always needed for structural changes.
Can I migrate from Payload CMS to Nextly?
Both use SQL databases (PostgreSQL, SQLite), making data migration straightforward. Your content data can be exported and imported between systems. The main work is translating Payload config files to Nextly collection definitions.
Is Nextly free to use like Payload CMS?
Both are MIT licensed and free to self-host, with no usage-based pricing or per-seat fees on either side. Payload Cloud, its managed hosting, is not currently taking new projects. Both deploy anywhere Next.js runs.
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