Strapi vs Directus vs Payload: CMS comparison
Honest comparison for developers building content-driven indie products.
TL;DR
Directus leads for SQL-first teams wanting instant REST/GraphQL APIs. Payload wins for Next.js-native TypeScript projects. Strapi has the largest plugin ecosystem but heavier resource usage on small VPS instances.
Sam Chen7 min read
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Strapi vs Directus vs Payload: CMS comparison: what indie hackers need to know in 2026
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| Criteria | Option A | Option B | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock-in risk | Medium | Medium | Depends |
| Lock-in risk | Free tier | Low | Tie |
| Lock-in risk | Medium | Low | Option A |
| Community | Low | Low | Tie |
How do you get started with Strapi vs Directus vs Payload?
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Video walkthrough
View original →What are common mistakes when choosing Strapi tools?
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best strapi vs directus vs payload: cms comparison for indie hackers in 2026?
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- How much does strapi vs directus vs payload: cms comparison cost for a solo founder?
- Most indie stacks land between $33/mo and $173/mo depending on traffic and GPU usage.
- Can I self-host instead of using a managed service?
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