We are the Payload to Directus migration experts

While Payload CMS offers a range of features tailored for Next.js applications, it presents certain challenges that might deter some users. One of the primary concerns is the learning curve associated with adopting this tool, particularly for developers unfamiliar with Next.js or headless CMS architectures. The platform's smaller ecosystem compared to more established CMS solutions means that users might find fewer ready-made plugins and third-party integrations, potentially increasing development time and complexity. Additionally, as a JavaScript-based CMS, there might be performance overhead in high-traffic environments, necessitating careful consideration of server resources and optimization strategies.

Another notable drawback is the documentation, which, while generally helpful, has been reported to contain gaps that could hinder new users from fully leveraging the platform's capabilities. The community, although growing, is still smaller than those of more established CMS platforms, which can limit the availability of peer support and community-driven resources. Moreover, being a headless CMS, Payload requires a separate hosting solution for its backend, adding an additional layer of complexity for those used to more traditional, all-in-one CMS platforms. These factors combined might make Payload CMS less appealing to users seeking a more straightforward or widely supported content management solution.

Directus instantly wins points with us because, well… it has a rabbit for a logo. But beyond that, it’s genuinely a solid database-first CMS. If you like the idea of a CMS that sits directly on top of your SQL database without any abstractions, Directus feels incredibly natural.

You can self-host it, tweak it endlessly, and treat your schema exactly the way you want. Editors get a no-code admin UI that feels polished, developers get REST and GraphQL out of the box, and teams get workflows, versioning, automations, and proper permission controls. It’s flexible, fast, and a great fit if your content is really just structured data waiting for a smarter interface. If your project revolves around relational data and you want total control from database to API, Directus is one of the cleanest ways to build it.