Payload CMS vs WorkOS

Which no-code tool is better for your project? Compare features, pricing, and more.

Payload CMS

Payload CMS

Code-first headless CMS built with TypeScript and React.

4.6
Try Payload CMS
WorkOS

WorkOS

Enterprise-ready auth and directory sync for SaaS products.

4.6
Try WorkOS

Quick Verdict

Payload CMS is best for code-first content management. WorkOS is best for adding enterprise sso to saas products. Not sure? Let our AI recommend the right one.

FeaturePayload CMSWorkOS
PricingFrom $35/moContact
Pricing Modelfreemiumfreemium
Rating4.6/54.6/5
AI Features✗ No✗ No
Founded20212019
Company Size20-50100-200
Key Features
  • Code-first TypeScript configuration
  • Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs
  • Customizable React admin panel
  • Built-in access control and auth
  • Live Preview and Draft system
  • Enterprise SSO (SAML, OIDC)
  • SCIM Directory Sync
  • AuthKit — complete auth solution
  • Fine-Grained Authorization (FGA)
  • Audit Logs
IntegrationsNext.js, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, AWS S3Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, OneLogin

Payload CMS — Pros & Cons

Best CMS for TypeScript developers — fully type-safe
Open-source and self-hostable
Deeply integrates with Next.js
No vendor lock-in — you own everything
Requires developer setup — not for non-technical users
Smaller community than Strapi
Self-hosting requires infrastructure management

WorkOS — Pros & Cons

Best developer experience for enterprise auth
Free up to 1M MAUs with AuthKit
Makes any SaaS enterprise-ready quickly
Clean APIs and excellent documentation
Enterprise SSO pricing per connection
Relatively new — smaller ecosystem
Some features still in beta

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