RedwoodGraphQL vs Payload
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A React web framework with an optional GraphQL API, built on Prisma; the README also promotes a newer sibling
Open source · MIT
Open-source Next.js framework that adds a TypeScript backend and admin panel to your app.
The short answer
Choose RedwoodGraphQL if you need…
- Developers building data-driven React apps who want a pre-assembled stack
- Prototypes and hackathons that may grow into larger projects
- Teams that want TypeScript end to end, from router to database
- Developers who want an optional GraphQL API alongside React
Choose Payload if you need…
- Developers already building with Next.js and React who want a backend without a separate server
- Teams that want an admin panel for editing content that they can customize in code
- Projects that need user auth, access control, and versioned drafts out of the box
- People who want to avoid a paid SaaS CMS and self-host their data
Side-by-side
| RedwoodGraphQL | Payload | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Framework |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 17.6k | 45.6k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | See the README | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
RedwoodGraphQL
RedwoodGraphQL is the GraphQL-focused repository of the Redwood web framework, which combines a React frontend, a GraphQL API, and a Prisma-based database layer in one project. The README describes it as opinionated and full-stack, meant to let developers skip picking every tool themselves. The README is mixed: its top section promotes RedwoodSDK, a separate project for Cloudflare, and its later sections describe the Redwood framework and a not-yet-released 'Bighorn' epoch.
Payload
Payload is an open-source framework built on Next.js that gives you a backend, database-backed API, and admin panel for managing content and data. It can run as a headless CMS, or as the backend for a larger application. Because it lives inside a Next.js project, the frontend and backend can share one codebase.
Best for
RedwoodGraphQL
- Developers building data-driven React apps who want a pre-assembled stack
- Prototypes and hackathons that may grow into larger projects
- Teams that want TypeScript end to end, from router to database
- Developers who want an optional GraphQL API alongside React
Payload
- Developers already building with Next.js and React who want a backend without a separate server
- Teams that want an admin panel for editing content that they can customize in code
- Projects that need user auth, access control, and versioned drafts out of the box
- People who want to avoid a paid SaaS CMS and self-host their data
Strengths
RedwoodGraphQL
- Bundles many common pieces (React, Prisma, Jest, Storybook, GraphQL) into one framework
- Supports TypeScript throughout, with JavaScript also allowed
- Documented tutorial, quick start, and docs site
Payload
- Open source under the MIT license with no vendor lock-in, according to the README
- Runs inside a Next.js /app folder, so frontend and backend share one project
- Admin panel and backend are described as extensible through code
Not ideal for
RedwoodGraphQL
- Someone who only wants a small static site, since the README frames Redwood around data-driven apps
- Non-developers, because it requires React, a database, and command-line setup
- Teams who need the unreleased Bighorn features now, since the README says it has no production release yet
Payload
- Non-developers who want a point-and-click site builder, since setup and customization require coding
- Projects not using Next.js or TypeScript, since the README centers on that stack
- Teams needing a fully managed service with no hosting or database work, since this is self-hosted software
Trade-offs
RedwoodGraphQL
- The README's top section and the Bighorn section describe unreleased or different products, which can confuse newcomers
- Opinionated design means you adopt its conventions and stack choices
- The README does not state a clear version roadmap for the GraphQL-specific parts
Payload
- Requires working knowledge of Next.js and TypeScript to use effectively
- The README is truncated and does not detail hosting costs or production operations
Getting started
RedwoodGraphQL
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/redwoodjs/graphqlPayload
Create a new Payload app
pnpx create-payload-app@latestCreate a project from the website template
pnpx create-payload-app@latest -t websiteFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between RedwoodGraphQL and Payload?
RedwoodGraphQL: A React web framework with an optional GraphQL API, built on Prisma; the README also promotes a newer sibling . Payload: Open-source Next.js framework that adds a TypeScript backend and admin panel to your app. RedwoodGraphQL suits developers building data-driven react apps who want a pre-assembled stack, while Payload suits developers already building with next.js and react who want a backend without a separate server.
Are RedwoodGraphQL and Payload free?
RedwoodGraphQL: Free and open source. Payload: Free and open source.
Is RedwoodGraphQL or Payload more popular?
Payload has more GitHub stars (45.6k) than RedwoodGraphQL (17.6k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to RedwoodGraphQL and Payload?
Other options people compare them with include Next.js, Remix, Wasp, Blitz.js, Gatsby.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.