Payload CMSvsYcode
Two self-hosted WordPress alternatives, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.
| Payload CMS | Ycode | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83/100 | 53/100 |
| Rank in category | #2 of 13 in Headless CMS | #4 of 6 in Website Builder |
| GitHub stars | 45 559 | 334 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +647 | — |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 20 | 11 |
| Latest release | v3.92.1 · 27 Oct 2026 | 1.37.8 · 28 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Moderate | Advanced |
| Official Docker image | No | No |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Main language | Typescript | Typescript |
Which one should you pick?
Payload CMS scores 83/100 against 53/100 for Ycode, so it is the safer default.
Payload CMS ships more often: 20 stable releases in the past year, against 11 for Ycode.
If you want the quickest setup, Payload CMS is easier to run; Ycode needs more configuration.
Payload CMS is growing faster right now (+647 stars in 30 days).
Payload CMS details →Ycode details → All WordPress alternatives →