Sanity Studio vs Payload: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Sanity Studio 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:
Sanity Studio
Unify content creation, management, and scaling across all digital experiences.
Best for you if:
- • You need cms features specifically
- • Centralized content workspace for structured content.
- • Real-time collaboration and customizable editorial experiences.
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 |  Sanity Studio |  Payload |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | CMS | API Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Sanity Studio | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CMSHeadless CMS | API ToolsLow-Code Backend |
How Sanity Studio and Payload Compare
Sanity Studio
Unify content creation, management, and scaling across all digital experiences.
Free tier available
Payload
Headless CMS and application framework
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Sanity Studio is a cms tool. Payload is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Sanity Studio
Want the highest-rated option?
Payload scores 86/100. Sanity Studio 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?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Sanity Studio is a cms 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
Sanity Studio
- Better fit for cms
The Bottom Line
Payload (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sanity Studio or Payload better?
Payload scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Sanity Studio and Payload used for?
Sanity Studio: Unify content creation, management, and scaling across all digital experiences.. Payload: Headless CMS and application framework.
What does Sanity Studio cost vs Payload?
Sanity Studio is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Payload is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.