Head-to-head

Strapi vs Payload: GitHub, npm & hiring signals

A live, signal-by-signal comparison of Strapi and Payload — GitHub stars, npm downloads, and how many of the 27 public signal sources Sigmon can track for each. Numbers below are detected right now.

Strapi

strapi

Top-repo stars
73.1k
npm/wk
160.4k
Trackable sources
27/27
Domain
strapi.io

Build powerful back-end with no effort.

Full Strapi signal breakdown

Payload

payloadcms

Top-repo stars
44.7k
npm/wk
514.2k
Trackable sources
27/27
Domain
payloadcms.com

Headless CMS and Application Framework

Full Payload signal breakdown

Don't just compare — monitor both

Stars and downloads are lagging indicators. Sigmon tracks Strapi and Payload across leading signals — SEC Form D funding filings, senior-role hiring surges, README positioning pivots, release velocity, certificate-transparency staging spikes — and ships one weekly strategic brief on what each is about to do, before it hits Hacker News.

Track Strapi and Payload — free, in 60 seconds

Add both as competitors and get a weekly brief on what each ships, hires, and raises. No scraping, no credit card.

More comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Is Strapi or Payload more popular?
By GitHub stars, Strapi currently leads Payload (73.1k vs 44.7k). Stars are only one signal — Sigmon also tracks npm downloads, release velocity and hiring so you can judge momentum, not just size.
How do Strapi and Payload compare?
This page puts Strapi and Payload side by side on the signals that predict momentum: GitHub stars and release cadence, npm download trend, hiring activity and pricing changes — refreshed weekly.
Can I track both Strapi and Payload?
Yes. Add both to Sigmon free and get a single weekly brief covering every move either one makes — releases, pricing changes, funding and hiring.