Best self-hosted headless CMS
Ranked by our score, filtered to what fits this job. Same eleven tests, same scale. Filter and sort to match your constraints.
Best self-hosted headless CMS
If data ownership and no vendor lock-in matter, self-hosting is the way. These are the strongest open-source, self-hostable options.
Our top picks
1. Strapi, 8/10
The open-source default. Full control if you'll run it yourself; the managed Cloud tier removes the ops burden for a price.
Best for: Self-hosting, Node/TS teams, data ownership. From Cloud $18-450/mo; self-host = infra only.
2. Payload, 9/10
The developer darling of 2026, runs inside your Next.js app, config-as-code, no separate infra. If you write code, this is the one to beat.
Best for: Code-first developers, Next.js apps wanting CMS in-app. From Infra only; Payload Cloud paid.
3. WordPress (headless), 7/10
The incumbent, massive ecosystem, and going headless keeps the familiar editor with a modern front end. Ops and security are on you.
Best for: Existing WP content, blogs, content teams going headless. From Infra + hosting only.
4. Medusa, 8/10
The open-source Shopify alternative for developers. Enormous flexibility if you'll build and host it; not for non-technical owners.
Best for: Custom ecommerce, developers wanting full control. From Infra only; Medusa Cloud paid.
How we picked
Every option is scored on the same criteria, pricing, hosting model, developer experience, and fit for this use case, independently, with no vendor sponsorship.
Data last verified 2026-07-15. Prices and plans change, so always confirm on the vendor's site.