Next.js Boilerplate Comparison 2025: Which Starter Should You Choose?
An honest, detailed comparison of the top Next.js SaaS boilerplates in 2025. Features, pricing, pros, cons, and which one is right for your project.
Next Boilerplate AII've spent thousands of dollars testing every major Next.js boilerplate. Some saved me weeks. Others made me regret the purchase within days. Trust me, choosing the wrong boilerplate can lock you into architectural decisions you'll fight for months.
Here's my honest breakdown of the most popular Next.js SaaS starters—from someone who's actually built production apps with all of them.
📊 Evaluation Criteria
We're evaluating based on: production readiness, feature completeness, architecture quality, AI integration, pricing model, and community support.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | NextBoilerplate AI | Others |
|---|---|---|
| Auth | NextAuth + Google/GitHub | Varies |
| Payments | Stripe + Webhooks | Basic or None |
| Database | MongoDB + Mongoose | Varies (Prisma/Mongo) |
| API Layer | GraphQL + Auto-codegen | REST or tRPC |
| AI Assistant | ✅ Built-in | ❌ None |
| Pricing | $99-299/mo | $0-500+ one-time |
Detailed Breakdown
Next Boilerplate AI
RECOMMENDEDThe only Next.js boilerplate with a built-in AI coding assistant that understands your codebase.
Stack:
Next.js 14, TypeScript, MongoDB, GraphQL, NextAuth, Stripe, Tailwind, Radix UI, AWS deployment
Pros:
- AI assistant reads your actual GitHub repo
- Production-ready Stripe integration
- GraphQL with automatic type generation
- Feature-driven architecture (AI-friendly)
- Active development and updates
Cons:
- Monthly subscription model (not one-time)
- MongoDB only (no Prisma/PostgreSQL option)
Best For:
Solo developers and small teams who want to ship SaaS MVPs in days, not weeks. Especially valuable if you're building multiple products.
Create T3 App
Minimalist starter with type-safe tRPC API and Prisma ORM.
Stack:
Next.js, TypeScript, tRPC, Prisma, Tailwind, NextAuth (optional)
Pros:
- Free and open source
- Type-safe API with tRPC
- Large community
Cons:
- No payments integration
- Minimal UI components
- Requires significant setup
Best For: Developers who prefer tRPC over GraphQL and want maximum flexibility.
ShipFast
Popular one-time purchase boilerplate focused on rapid deployment.
Stack:
Next.js, MongoDB, Stripe, Mailgun, NextAuth
Pros:
- One-time payment ($199)
- Stripe integration included
- Email templates
Cons:
- No AI assistance
- Basic architecture
- No GraphQL/type generation
Best For: Indie hackers who want a simple, one-time purchase solution.
How to Choose: Key Decision Factors
1. Do you value speed over flexibility?
If you need to ship fast and don't want to make architectural decisions, choose a comprehensive boilerplate like Next Boilerplate AI. If you prefer building from a minimal base, choose Create T3.
2. Are you building one project or many?
One-time purchase boilerplates make sense for single projects. If you're a serial builder, a subscription model with AI assistance pays for itself after 2-3 projects.
3. Do you need AI assistance?
Context-aware AI can 10x your development speed. If you're a solo developer with limited time, AI assistance is worth the investment. If you have a team, generic AI tools may be sufficient.
4. What's your tech stack preference?
tRPC vs GraphQL, Prisma vs Mongoose, PostgreSQL vs MongoDB—these are personal preferences. Choose a boilerplate that matches your stack experience.
Pricing: One-Time vs Subscription
The pricing model matters more than you think. Here's the math:
Scenario 1: Building One SaaS Product
- One-time boilerplate ($199): $199 total
- Subscription boilerplate ($99/mo × 12): $1,188/year
- Winner: One-time purchase (saves $989)
Scenario 2: Serial Entrepreneur (3+ projects/year)
- One-time × 3 ($199 each): $597 + 6 weeks dev time per project
- Subscription with AI ($99/mo): $1,188 but 3 days dev time per project (saves 15 weeks @ $100/hr = $60,000)
- Winner: Subscription with AI (saves $58,400 in time)
Final Recommendation
For solo developers shipping SaaS products: Next Boilerplate AI offers the best combination of production-ready features and AI-assisted development. The monthly cost is offset by 10x faster development speed.
For agencies with teams: Consider Create T3 App for maximum flexibility or ShipFast for rapid client projects.
For learners and hobbyists: Start with the free Create T3 App to understand Next.js fundamentals before investing in paid boilerplates.
Try Before You Decide
Experience the difference context-aware AI makes. Start building with Next Boilerplate AI today.