Payload CMS

Payload CMS provides an open-source, developer-first content management system (CMS) and application framework built with TypeScript. The company was founded in 2018 by James Mikrut, Elliot DeNolf, and Dan Ribbens, three full-stack developers who were dissatisfied with existing CMS options that often sideline developer experience. The founders' journey began after decades of collective experience building digital projects, where they identified a market gap for a CMS that prioritizes clean, extensible code without compromising the administrative user experience.

The company's core offering is a headless CMS, which decouples the back-end content repository from the front-end presentation layer. This architecture provides developers with the freedom to build custom user experiences for websites, e-commerce platforms, native apps, and SaaS products using any front-end technology. Payload generates REST, GraphQL, and local APIs, alongside a customizable React-based admin panel, directly from a developer's TypeScript configuration. This code-first approach allows for version control of schemas and deep customization of the entire system. The platform targets developers, from freelancers to large enterprises, who require a high degree of control and flexibility. Its client roster includes major organizations like Microsoft, Disney, and Salesforce.

Payload's business model operates on a dual-pronged strategy. The core CMS is free and open-source, fostering a large community and widespread adoption. Revenue is generated through two primary channels: a cloud-hosting service with tiered pricing and the sale of enterprise-level features. The cloud offering provides managed infrastructure, including databases, file storage, and a CI/CD pipeline, with plans starting from around $35 per month. For larger clients, Payload offers an enterprise plan with features like single sign-on (SSO), advanced security, and dedicated support. This model allows the company to support a broad user base while capitalizing on the needs of large-scale, critical applications. After a period of bootstrapping, the company was accepted into the Y Combinator accelerator in 2022 and subsequently raised $5.2 million in seed funding from investors including Gradient Ventures and MongoDB Ventures. In June 2025, Figma acquired Payload CMS.

Keywords: headless CMS, application framework, TypeScript, open-source, developer tools, content management, React admin panel, GraphQL API, REST API, Next.js framework, code-first CMS, self-hosted CMS, digital asset management, e-commerce backend, Y Combinator, enterprise software, SaaS backend, content platform, API-driven, full-stack framework