Payload

Payload is an open-source, TypeScript-based backend framework that installs directly into a Next.js application's /app folder. Developers define a Payload config in code and the system generates an admin panel, a database layer with migrations and transactions, REST and GraphQL APIs (plus direct Node.js database access), authentication, granular access control at document, field and operation level, and file storage with image resizing and access control. Supported databases include MongoDB, Postgres and SQLite; the project is MIT licensed and requires Node.js 20.9.0 or later.

The product is positioned both as a headless CMS and as an application framework, with marketed use cases spanning headless CMS, headless eCommerce, enterprise app building and digital asset management. Feature areas highlighted by the company include Next.js-native architecture, visual editing, RAG and vector embedding of content, versions and drafts, localization, a block-based layout builder, a Lexical rich-text editor, conditional field logic, document and field-level hooks, and React Server Component support for extending the admin UI. Payload is distributed via create-payload-app, official and community templates (website, ecommerce, blog, portfolio), a plugin ecosystem, and one-click deployments to Vercel (with Neon database and Vercel Blob storage) and Cloudflare (Workers, R2 and D1).

Payload was acquired by Figma, announced on June 17, 2025. The company states Payload remains open source and self-hostable and that Figma continues investing in the platform, though it has not disclosed specifics about product direction post-acquisition.

Founding story

The company traces to 2018, when Grand Rapids web developer James Mikrut proposed building a website for The 100, an annual 100-second-video pitch competition run by Start Garden, a Michigan Economic Development Corporation-funded incubator, using a new headless CMS built on Node and React. Start Garden's director suggested he instead pitch in the competition; Mikrut entered and won, then moved into Start Garden and developed the codebase with co-founders Elliot DeNolf and Dan Ribbens. The three described themselves as full-stack engineers who had built digital projects on existing CMS platforms for over a decade, including enterprise websites for clients such as Klarna, and built Payload because the tool they wanted did not exist. Low-cost coworking space at Start Garden let them fund product development with client web development work over roughly three to four years.

Business model

Open-core: the core framework is free, MIT-licensed and self-hostable, with monetization through an enterprise tier offering dedicated support, hosting, and advanced features. At the time of its 2022 seed round the company also planned a managed service, Payload Cloud, as its monetization strategy and deployment hub.

Free self-hosted open-source edition alongside a paid enterprise offering that includes dedicated engineering support, hosting with Payload or self-hosting, SSO, visual editing, unlimited custom domains, white-labeled email service, and roadmap influence.

Traction

The public GitHub repository shows roughly 44,300 stars, 4,100 forks and 15,808 commits. The company published case studies with Blue Origin, Microsoft, Hello Bello, Tekton and Paper Triangles, and Figma's CTO stated Payload was already used by several Fortune 100 companies. Headcount reached 10 full-time employees by October 2023.

Latest developments

Acquisition by Figma announced June 17, 2025, with terms undisclosed. The company subsequently reiterated that Payload stays open source and self-hostable and that Figma will continue investing in the platform, while declining to detail joint roadmap plans.