payload
Node, React, Headless CMS and Application Framework built on Next.js
978.8K weekly downloads · 2.4 MB gzip · Health 90/100
0
Comparison guide
Payload vs Strapi
Side-by-side NPM package comparison
Quick Verdict
Smallest Bundle
Strapi
166.0 B gzipped
Most Popular
Payload
978.8K weekly downloads
Best Maintained
Payload
100/100 maintenance score
Highest Quality
Payload
80/100 quality score
Overall Pick
Payload
Best all-around based on popularity, size, maintenance & quality
strapi
An open source headless CMS solution to create and manage your own API. It provides a powerful dashboard and features to make your life easier. Databases supported: MongoDB, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite
9.3K weekly downloads · 166.0 B gzip · Health 57/100
0
Choosing between Payload and Strapi? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.
Downloads & Popularity
Payload leads with 978.8K weekly downloads — roughly 105.2x more. Strapi has 9.3K weekly downloads. Higher download counts generally indicate broader community adoption and a larger ecosystem of tutorials, plugins, and support.
Bundle Size
Strapi has the smallest gzipped bundle at 166.0 B. Payload comes in at 2.4 MB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.
Health Score Comparison
Payload has an overall health score of 90/100 (excellent), with strong maintenance, quality, security, popularity scores. Strapi has an overall health score of 57/100 (moderate), with strong security scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.
When to Choose Each
Choose Payload if you value actively maintained, strong security track record. Choose Strapi if you value minimal bundle footprint, strong security track record.
Our Verdict
Both Payload and Strapi are solid choices for JavaScript development. Payload has the edge in overall health score (90/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is payload better than strapi?
- It depends on your needs. Payload has a health score of 90/100 while Strapi scores 57/100. Payload has more recorded weekly downloads (978.8K). Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
- Which has a smaller bundle size, payload or strapi?
- Strapi has the smaller gzipped bundle at 166.0 B. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
- How many developers use payload vs strapi?
- Payload has more recorded weekly downloads (978.8K). Download counts reflect package installations, not unique developers.
- Which is better maintained, payload or strapi?
- Payload has a maintenance score of 100/100. Payload scores 100/100 and Strapi scores 40/100 on maintenance.
The 2026 JavaScript Stack Cheatsheet
One PDF: the best package for every category (ORMs, bundlers, auth, testing, state management). Used by 500+ devs. Free, updated monthly.