Raytha vs Payload CMS: a .NET alternative to the Next.js-native CMS
Payload and Raytha are both free, MIT-licensed, self-hosted CMSs, but they belong to different stacks. Payload is a code-first TypeScript CMS that installs into a Next.js app, with collections defined in config, REST, GraphQL and a Local API. Raytha runs on .NET 10 and PostgreSQL, with content types defined in the admin, Liquid templates, a REST API, and members and SAML/JWT single sign-on built in. The deciding question is usually whether your team lives in TypeScript and Next.js or in C# and .NET.
Last reviewed October 2026 against Raytha 2.0.1 and Payload 3.x (4.0 is in pre-release).
Raytha vs Payload at a glance
| Raytha | Payload | |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Stack | .NET 10 (C#) | Node.js, TypeScript, Next.js |
| Database | PostgreSQL | MongoDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite (one adapter per project) |
| Content model | Content types defined in the admin, stored in the database | Collections and globals defined in TypeScript config |
| Rendering | Liquid templates, themes and a widget page builder, or headless | Your Next.js app, using Payload's Local API, or headless |
| APIs | REST API v1, API keys | REST, GraphQL and a Local API |
| Auth | Public users, user groups, SAML and JWT SSO, emailed one-time codes | Auth-enabled collections with code-defined access control |
| Customization | Raytha Functions (JavaScript), webhooks, templates | Hooks, custom fields and React admin components in code |
| Hosting | Docker or Railway | Anywhere Next.js runs: Vercel, containers, Node servers |
| Ownership | Raytha Inc. | Part of Figma since June 2025 |
What Payload does well
Payload is one of the fastest-growing open source CMSs, with more than 45,000 GitHub stars. Since version 3 it installs directly into a Next.js app, so the admin, the API and your front end can share one codebase and one deployment, and server components can query content through the Local API without an HTTP round trip. Everything is configured in TypeScript, which gives strong typing, code review and version control for the content model. Access control, hooks and admin UI customization are all code. Payload joined Figma in June 2025 and remains MIT-licensed and self-hostable.
Where Raytha is different
- Configured in the admin, not in code. Content types, fields, views and templates are created in the browser and stored in the database, so content model changes do not need a redeploy, and non-developers can make them.
- Templates and page building included. Raytha can render the site itself with Liquid templates and a widget page builder; you do not need a separate front-end framework.
- Members and SSO without code. Public users, user groups, SAML and JWT single sign-on, and emailed one-time codes are settings, not code you write.
- A .NET stack. For teams whose services, libraries and hosting are .NET, Raytha deploys the same way as the rest of the system.
- Scriptable from outside. A read-write REST API and the
raythaCLI let scripts and AI agents manage content, themes and pages as JSON.
When to choose Payload
- Your team works in TypeScript and Next.js and wants the CMS inside the app.
- You want the content model as code, reviewed and versioned with the rest of the app.
- You need GraphQL, MongoDB or deep admin customization with React components.
- You want to deploy on Vercel or a serverless platform.
When to choose Raytha
- Your team writes C# and runs .NET in production.
- You want editors and developers to change the content model in the admin without a deploy.
- You want the CMS to render pages with server-side templates, without a JavaScript front end.
- You need member sign-in with SAML or JWT SSO without building it.
Before you switch
Raytha has no GraphQL API, no built-in localization and no in-process API for a JavaScript front end; a Next.js site would call Raytha's REST API. It supports PostgreSQL only. Its customization surface is templates, Raytha Functions, webhooks and the REST API, or changes to the C# source.
FAQ
Is Payload CMS free?
Yes. Payload is open source under the MIT license and can be self-hosted. It has been part of Figma since June 2025.
Is there a .NET alternative to Payload CMS?
Raytha is an open source .NET 10 CMS with custom content types, a REST API and templates. It is configured in the admin rather than in code.
Which databases does Payload support?
Payload supports MongoDB, PostgreSQL and SQLite through database adapters. Raytha 2.0 supports PostgreSQL only.
Does Raytha need Next.js or a front-end framework?
No. Raytha renders pages with Liquid templates. You can also use it headless from any front end through its REST API.
Related comparisons
- Raytha vs Strapi: a Strapi-style headless CMS for .NET
- Raytha vs Directus: an MIT-licensed .NET alternative
- Raytha vs Contentful: a self-hosted, open source alternative
- Raytha vs Piranha CMS: two lightweight open source .NET CMSs
- All Raytha comparisons
Try Raytha
Raytha is free and MIT-licensed. Deploy it in a few minutes with the Railway template or Docker, following the quickstart. The platform overview lists what is in the box, and the source and release notes are on GitHub.
