Alternatives
LUNO is Backend Platform for the AI Era.
Payload CMS alternative
Teams want managed ops and org multi-tenant without maintaining Payload servers.
Criteria
What to look for in an alternative
Can humans and agents operate the same record (MCP / API / Console)?
Are forms, identity, and ops platform capabilities — not bolt-ons?
Is pricing per site/org rather than editor seats?
Edge delivery and security ops burden
Options
Main options
Payload is Next-native OSS CMS with Workers options. LUNO is managed Backend Platform SaaS — less runtime ownership, first-class MCP.
LUNO
Managed edge SaaS with agent keys and forms included.
If CMS must live inside your Next app codebase, Payload wins.
See Product →Payload CMS
Next.js teams that want code-first CMS in their repo.
WordPress
Editorial teams whose entire workflow is classic WP admin plus an accepted plugin stack.
LUNO vs WordPress →microCMS
Domestic projects that only need a simple Japanese headless content API.
LUNO vs microCMS →Contentful
Enterprises standardized on Contentful’s content model and multi-language SDKs.
LUNO vs Contentful →Strapi
Engineering orgs that want full OSS customization and accept self-host cost.
LUNO vs Strapi →
Migrate
Migration notes
Move collections to LUNO models; keep Next for UI only.
FAQ
FAQ
Workers support?
Both mention edge paths; LUNO is managed Workers SaaS by default.
Multi-tenant?
LUNO Agency/org surfaces target multi-site ops; Payload often needs custom work.
OSS?
Payload is OSS-first. LUNO product focus is managed SaaS.
Also see the matrix
Use the filterable comparison hub and machine-readable pricing file.