Payload Types (Staged vs. Non-Staged)

Staged payloads are tiny, and their single mission is connection. Then it transfers real stages, and Stages do real work.

Non-Staged payloads like everything workers. Also, their size is bigger than Staged payloads.

Deep Dive Into Stageless Meterpreter Payloads | Rapid7 BlogRapid7

Staged vs Stageless Handlers

Staged Payloads - What Pen Testers Should Know | Cobalt StrikeCobalt Strike Research and Development