Filament vs Payload: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Filament and Payload comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Filament
Accelerate Laravel development with a powerful UI framework for admin panels and applications.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • Open-source UI framework for Laravel admin panels and applications.
- • Built with Livewire and the TALL stack for rapid development.
Payload
Headless CMS and application framework
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Payload is an open-source headless CMS built with TypeScript
- • It provides an admin panel, API, and authentication out of the box
| At a Glance |  Filament |  Payload |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Low-Code Backend | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Filament | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Low-Code BackendApp Builders | API ToolsLow-Code Backend |
How Filament and Payload Compare
Filament
Accelerate Laravel development with a powerful UI framework for admin panels and applications.
Free
Payload
Headless CMS and application framework
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Filament is a low-code backend tool. Payload is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Filament is free. Payload is freemium.
Go with: Filament
Want the highest-rated option?
Payload scores 86/100. Filament is unrated.
Go with: Payload
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Payload
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Filament is free. Payload is freemium. Go with Filament if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Filament is a low-code backend tool. Payload is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Payload
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Filament
- Completely free
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
Payload (86/100) is our pick. That said, Filament is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Filament or Payload better?
Payload scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Filament is free and Payload is freemium.
What are Filament and Payload used for?
Filament: Accelerate Laravel development with a powerful UI framework for admin panels and applications.. Payload: Headless CMS and application framework.
What does Filament cost vs Payload?
Filament is completely free. Payload is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.