Web Development8 min read

Why I Love Using Payload CMS with Next.js

Discover why Payload CMS is the perfect match for Next.js. From performance to flexibility, we’ll dive into the top reasons why I prefer Payload over other headless CMS options.

Why I Love Using Payload CMS with Next.js

Written by

Marwan Hisham

Published on

2 Feb 2025

Why I Love Using Payload CMS with Next.js

As a Next.js developer, choosing the right CMS is crucial for performance, flexibility, and developer experience. After working with multiple CMS options, I've found that Payload CMS is by far the best fit for Next.js applications. Here’s why I love using Payload with Next.js and why you might want to consider it for your next project.

1. Full Control Over Hosting and Data

One of the standout features of Payload CMS is that it's self-hosted, unlike SaaS-based CMS platforms like Sanity.

  • Own your data: Your database stays on your server, eliminating vendor lock-in.
  • Control performance: Optimize database queries, caching, and API performance according to your needs.
  • Security: No third-party access to your CMS data.

For Next.js applications that rely on server-side rendering (SSR) or incremental static regeneration (ISR), having full control over your API and database ensures faster response times and greater flexibility.

2. Seamless API Integration with Next.js

Payload’s API structure makes fetching data extremely simple in Next.js. It works perfectly with:

  • Server Components (RSC) for seamless data fetching
  • Parallel and streaming rendering
  • Edge API Routes for improved performance
// Fetching data from Payload CMS in Next.js using a Server Component
import { cache } from 'react';

const getPosts = cache(async () => {
  const res = await fetch("http://localhost:3000/api/posts", { cache: "no-store" });
  return res.json();
});

export default async function Blog() {
  const posts = await getPosts();

  return (
    <div>
      {posts.map((post) => (
        <h2 key={post.id}>{post.title}</h2>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}

Unlike Sanity, where you need a special query language (GROQ), Payload lets you work with REST or GraphQL out of the box.

3. Built-In TypeScript Support

Payload CMS is natively built with TypeScript, making it a natural fit for Next.js applications.

// Payload schema with TypeScript
import { CollectionConfig } from 'payload/types';

const Posts: CollectionConfig = {
  slug: 'posts',
  fields: [
    { name: 'title', type: 'text', required: true },
    { name: 'content', type: 'richText' },
    { name: 'published', type: 'checkbox', defaultValue: false },
  ],
};

export default Posts;

With Payload, you get better type safety, intellisense support, and stronger developer experience compared to CMS options that only offer partial TypeScript support.

4. Native MongoDB Support for Flexible Data Storage

Sanity and many other headless CMS platforms store data in proprietary cloud-based backends. Payload, on the other hand, lets you use MongoDB for data storage, giving you full control over how your data is managed.

import payload from "payload";

const posts = await payload.find({
  collection: "posts",
  where: { published: { equals: true } },
});

This allows you to fine-tune your queries, optimize database performance, and even migrate data easily if needed.

5. Express.js Backend for API Flexibility

Payload runs on Express.js, allowing you to extend the API however you like. This is a huge advantage over Sanity, which limits you to their API structure.

// Custom API route in Next.js integrating Payload
import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
import payload from "payload";

export async function GET(req: NextRequest) {
  const posts = await payload.find({ collection: "posts" });
  return NextResponse.json(posts);
}

With this setup, you can:

  • Create custom routes
  • Add middleware for authentication
  • Optimize API responses for Next.js

6. No Query Language Lock-In

Sanity uses GROQ, a custom query language that you have to learn. Payload gives you the freedom to choose between REST or GraphQL.

query GetPosts {
  Posts(where: { published: true }) {
    title
    content
  }
}

This makes Payload much more developer-friendly for those already familiar with GraphQL or REST APIs.

7. Fully Customizable React-Based Admin Panel

One of the most underrated benefits of Payload CMS is its fully customizable admin panel. Unlike Sanity, which has a rigid structure, Payload’s admin panel is built with React, meaning you can tweak it however you like.

import { Field } from "payload/types";

const CustomField: Field = {
  name: "customField",
  type: "text",
  admin: { position: "sidebar" },
};

With this level of control, you can tailor the CMS experience to your project’s needs instead of being stuck with a pre-made UI.

8. Optimized for Next.js Performance

Payload CMS works seamlessly with:

  • Next.js API routes for direct integration
  • Edge functions & middleware for advanced performance
  • ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration) to optimize page loads

These advantages make it an ideal CMS choice for serverless and hybrid-rendered Next.js applications.

Final Thoughts

After working with various CMS platforms, Payload CMS has become my favorite choice for Next.js projects because it offers:

  • Full control over data and hosting
  • Seamless Next.js integration (Server Components, Edge API Routes)
  • Native TypeScript support
  • Better database flexibility with MongoDB
  • Extensibility through Express.js backend
  • REST & GraphQL API options
  • Customizable React-based admin UI

For developers who want performance, flexibility, and full control over their Next.js applications, Payload CMS is a game-changer. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Learn more about Payload CMS