Payload CMS vs Sanity(2026)
Payload CMS is better for teams that need code-first (typescript config). Sanity is the stronger choice if flexible schema. Payload CMS is free and Sanity is freemium (from $15/month).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
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Payload CMS
Payload is a TypeScript-first headless CMS with code-first configuration, local-first development, and no vendor lock-in.
Visit Payload CMSSanity
Sanity is a headless CMS with real-time collaboration, a customizable studio, and a GROQ query language.
Starting at $15/month
Visit SanityHow Do Payload CMS and Sanity Compare on Features?
| Feature | Payload CMS | Sanity |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $15/month |
| TypeScript config | ✓ | — |
| REST + GraphQL | ✓ | — |
| Live preview | ✓ | — |
| Access control | ✓ | — |
| Self-hosted | ✓ | — |
| React admin UI | ✓ | — |
| Real-time collaboration | — | ✓ |
| Portable Text | — | ✓ |
| GROQ queries | — | ✓ |
| Studio customization | — | ✓ |
| Content Lake | — | ✓ |
| Image CDN | — | ✓ |
Payload CMS Pros and Cons vs Sanity
P
Payload CMS
+Code-first (TypeScript config)
+Self-hostable (no vendor lock-in)
+Excellent TypeScript types
+Full control
−Less SaaS-friendly than Contentful
−Self-hosting requires infra
−Newer ecosystem
S
Sanity
+Flexible schema
+Real-time editing
+Powerful GROQ
+Great free tier
+TypeScript-first
−GROQ learning curve
−Costly for large teams
−Complex for simple use cases
Should You Use Payload CMS or Sanity?
Choose Payload CMS if…
- •Code-first (TypeScript config)
- •Self-hostable (no vendor lock-in)
- •Excellent TypeScript types
Choose Sanity if…
- •Flexible schema
- •Real-time editing
- •Powerful GROQ