Code-first, and AI-native.
Payload is a great code-first CMS on Next.js. Tangen shares the code-first, self-hosted philosophy and adds a framework-agnostic admin and AI that is part of the platform, not a plugin.
Where Tangen is different
Framework-agnostic admin
Tangen does not tie you to one front-end framework. Bring any stack for your site, app, or device.
AI in the box
MCP and RAG ship with Tangen, with scoped agent tools and cited retrieval, not something you bolt on.
Built on Bun and Elysia
A fast runtime end to end, so installs, tests, and cold starts stay quick.
Workspaces and environments
Run many isolated workspaces and real development, staging, and production per install.
TangenQL and a typed SDK
Query in-process with a typed SDK and TangenQL, or over REST and GraphQL, all from one schema.
Own it outright
Self-hosted on your Postgres, MIT licensed, with no paywalled tier on the essentials.
Where Payload may be the better fit.
We would rather you pick the right tool than oversell ours. Reach for Payload when:
You want the CMS to live inside your Next.js app.
You rely on Payload plugins or its larger community today.
You need the more established ecosystem right now.
Build on Tangen in the private beta.
Define a content type, push it, and query it from anywhere, with your own AI agent doing the rest. Request access and we will get you set up.