Payload CMS Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
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: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Payload CMS's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- 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
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- Managed cloud hosting
- Automatic updates
- Basic support
- Included database storage
- Included bandwidth
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like Managed cloud hosting or Automatic updates
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- Payload CMS branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Standard Cloud Plan Comparison
| Free (Self-Hosted) $0 | Standard Cloud $35/per month | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 7 included | 5+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | Payload CMS branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Developers self-hosting their CMS | Small projects and teams |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Payload CMS free?
Yes, Payload CMS offers a forever free plan with 7 core features included. However, there are limits on users and features that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in Payload CMS's free plan?
Payload CMS's free plan includes: Full open-source CMS, TypeScript-first architecture, Code-based configuration, Automatic REST and GraphQL APIs, Built-in authentication and access control, and 2 more features. Key limits include basic usage caps.
03 What's NOT included in Payload CMS's free plan?
The free plan excludes: Managed cloud hosting, Automatic updates, Basic support, Included database storage, Included bandwidth. You'll also have Payload CMS branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from Payload CMS's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like Managed cloud hosting or Automatic updates, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $35/per month.
05 Is Payload CMS's free plan really free forever?
Yes, Payload CMS's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
Get Payload CMS pricing updates
We'll notify you when pricing changes or new free features are added.