Choose Directus if you need
- Integration with Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT. We haven't found them on Payload's website.
- SOC 2 or GDPR. We haven't found them on Payload's website.
At a glance
- Both have a free plan.
- Directus offers a free trial (14 days). We haven't confirmed one for Payload.
- Directus' lowest paid plan is Core at $89 per month billed yearly, or $99 monthly, as of November 13, 2026.
- They list no integrations in common.
- Both list SSO.
- Only Directus lists SOC 2 and GDPR.
- Directus has a public API. We haven't confirmed one for Payload.
- Both can be self-hosted.
From each tool's own website, checked on the dates below, and from published reviews.
Which to choose
From the facts checked for both tools, not from opinion. A fact we haven't confirmed for one of them is never counted.
Choose Payload if you need
- Integration with Vercel, Cloudflare or Next.js. We haven't found them on Directus' website.
Directus
Nobody has reviewed Directus yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review Directus
Payload
Nobody has reviewed Payload yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review PayloadThe facts
- What it does
- DirectusThe collaborative backend and self-hostable headless CMS over any database.
- PayloadAn open-source headless CMS and application framework built with TypeScript and React.
- Free plan
- DirectusYes
- PayloadYes
- Pricing
- DirectusNot confirmed
- PayloadNot confirmed
- Paid plans from
- Directus
What they share
From the platforms and integrations each website lists.
Integrations
BothNone in common
Only Directus
- Claude
- Cursor
- ChatGPT
- Windsurf
Only Payload
- Vercel
- Cloudflare
- Next.js
People who switched
Reviewers who say they used one of these before the other.
No reviewer has said they moved between Directus and Payload yet.
Used either of them?
Your review makes this comparison better for the next person. Review Directus or review Payload.