Official examples
An open-source, fullstack Next.js framework that provides a TypeScript backend and admin panel, usable as a headless CMS or for building applications.
What is Official examples?
Payload is an open-source, fullstack framework built natively for Next.js that provides developers with a complete TypeScript backend and a customizable admin panel. It solves the problem of fragmented development by combining backend logic, content management, and frontend integration into a single, cohesive system. It can be used as a headless CMS or as a foundation for building powerful, fullstack applications.
Developers and teams building modern web applications with Next.js who need a flexible, TypeScript-based backend and content management system without relying on external SaaS platforms. It's ideal for those who value open-source solutions and want full control over their stack.
Developers choose Payload because it eliminates vendor lock-in, offers deep integration with Next.js and React Server Components, and provides a fully extensible, TypeScript-first backend. Its ability to deploy anywhere, including serverless environments, combined with a powerful and customizable admin panel, makes it a versatile alternative to traditional CMS platforms.
Overview
Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin panel instantly. Use Payload as a headless CMS or for building powerful applications.
Use Cases
Best For
- Building Next.js applications with an integrated backend and CMS
- Creating headless CMS solutions with a custom admin interface
- Developing fullstack TypeScript applications without external APIs
- Self-hosting a CMS with complete control over deployment and infrastructure
- Implementing content management with granular access control and localization
- Rapid prototyping of web applications with a ready-to-use backend and admin panel
Not Ideal For
- Teams building applications with non-React frameworks (e.g., Vue.js or Svelte)
- Projects requiring a fully managed, no-code CMS for content editors with minimal technical setup
- Applications that need extensive pre-built plugins and themes without custom development
- Simple brochure websites where a static site generator would be more efficient
Pros & Cons
Pros
Built natively to run inside Next.js app folder, allowing direct database queries in React Server Components without REST/GraphQL, as highlighted in the README.
Fully TypeScript with automatic type generation for data models, ensuring type safety throughout the backend and frontend.
The admin panel is 100% customizable using React, enabling developers to tailor it to specific project needs without constraints.
Can be deployed anywhere, including serverless on Vercel or Cloudflare, with one-click deployment options provided in the README.
Offers extremely detailed access control at both document and field levels, supporting complex authorization scenarios out of the box.
Cons
Tightly coupled with Next.js, making it unsuitable for projects using other frameworks or wanting framework-agnostic solutions, as it's designed to run inside the Next.js app folder.
Compared to established CMS platforms like WordPress, Payload has a limited number of third-party plugins, requiring more custom development for extended functionality, as noted in the community plugins section.
Requires proficiency in Next.js, React, and TypeScript, which can be steep for developers new to these technologies or teams without fullstack expertise, despite the templates provided.
As a newer project, major version updates (like from v2 to v3) may introduce breaking changes, necessitating migration efforts, as referenced in the migration guide link.
Open Source Alternative To
Official examples is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Strapi is an open-source headless CMS built with Node.js that allows developers to build customizable APIs and manage content with an admin panel.
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) written in PHP and paired with a MySQL or MariaDB database, used for creating websites and blogs.
Sanity is a headless content management system (CMS) that allows developers to structure content with real-time APIs and a customizable editing environment called Sanity Studio.
Contentful is a headless content management system (CMS) that enables developers to manage and deliver content across multiple platforms via APIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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