Quick Answer
Last verified:

Payload CMS pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $833 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: Yes
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training

Payload CMS offers 4 pricing tiers: Free (Self-Hosted), Standard Cloud, Pro Cloud, Enterprise Cloud. Standard paid plans include Free (Self-Hosted) at $0/free, Standard Cloud at $35/per month, Pro Cloud at $199/per month. The Standard Cloud plan is small projects and teams.

Compared to other headless cms software, Payload CMS is positioned at the premium price point.

Last verified: February 2026 | Sources: 0 pricing pages and reviews

All Payload CMS Plans & Pricing

Plan Monthly Annual Best For
Free (Self-Hosted) Free $undefined 0 Developers self-hosting their CMS
Standard Cloud $35 /per month $undefined Small projects and teams
Pro Cloud $199 /per month $undefined Production applications with higher traffic
Enterprise Cloud Contact Contact Large organizations with custom requirements
View all features by plan

Free (Self-Hosted)

  • Full open-source CMS
  • TypeScript-first architecture
  • Code-based configuration
  • Automatic REST and GraphQL APIs
  • Built-in authentication and access control
  • React-based customizable admin panel
  • Local API for server-side operations

Standard Cloud

  • Managed cloud hosting
  • Automatic updates
  • Basic support
  • Included database storage
  • Included bandwidth

Pro Cloud

  • All Standard features
  • Increased resources
  • Priority support
  • Higher storage and bandwidth limits

Enterprise Cloud

  • All Pro features
  • Custom SLAs
  • Dedicated support
  • Enterprise SSO
  • Custom integrations

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Hidden Costs to Budget For

Watch for 6 hidden costs
  • Database storage overages ($0.50 per GB)
  • Bandwidth charges ($0.20 per GB per month)
  • File storage overages ($0.02 per GB)
  • Self-hosting infrastructure costs for open-source version
  • Enterprise SSO and advanced features
  • Custom integrations and consulting
Tip

Ask your Payload CMS sales rep about these costs upfront. Getting them in writing before signing can save you from surprise charges later.

Full hidden costs breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How much does Payload CMS cost?

Pricing varies by plan. Check the official pricing page for current rates.

02 Does Payload CMS have a free tier?

Check the pricing section above for free tier availability.

03 What are the main features of Payload CMS?

Key features include the items listed in the pricing tiers above.

04 Is Payload CMS worth the price?

Value depends on your specific needs and use case. Compare features across plans.