Starting a new Next.js project from scratch can be time-consuming. You need to set up authentication, database connections, API routes, and more. That's where boilerplates come in - they provide a solid foundation to build upon. In this article, we'll explore some of the best Next.js boilerplates, with a special focus on OpenSaaS and IndieKit Pro.
Why Use a Next.js Boilerplate?
Before diving into specific boilerplates, let's understand why they're valuable:
- Time Savings: Skip the repetitive setup process and focus on building your unique features
- Best Practices: Most boilerplates follow industry standards and best practices
- Production Ready: Many come with essential features pre-configured
- Community Support: Popular boilerplates often have active communities and regular updates
OpenSaaS: The Free Open Source Solution
OpenSaaS is a powerful, free, and open-source Next.js boilerplate that provides everything you need to start building your SaaS application.
Key Features:
- 🔐 Authentication with NextAuth.js
- 💳 Stripe integration for payments
- 📧 Email notifications with Resend
- 🎨 Modern UI with Tailwind CSS
- 📱 Fully responsive design
- 🔄 TypeScript support
- 📊 Basic analytics
- 🚀 Deploy-ready configuration
Perfect For:
- Solo developers
- Small teams
- MVPs and prototypes
- Learning projects
IndieKit Pro: The Future-Proof Solution
IndieKit Pro is more than just a premium boilerplate - it's a comprehensive solution that grows with your project. Whether you're a solo developer or part of a large team, IndieKit Pro provides the features you'll need as your project scales.
Why Choose IndieKit Pro?
- 🚀 Start Small, Scale Big: Begin with essential features and unlock advanced capabilities as you grow
- 💡 Future-Proof: Built with scalability in mind, so you won't need to switch platforms later
- 🎯 Complete Solution: Everything you need, from basic features to enterprise-grade capabilities
- ⚡ Time-Saving: Pre-built features mean you can focus on your unique value proposition
Advanced Features:
Project Structure
- 📁 Well-organized Next.js project structure
- App Router Architecture
- Component Organization
- API Routes Structure
- Database Models
- Email Templates
- Utility Functions
- Custom Hooks
Database & Authentication
- 🗄️ Flexible database solutions with Drizzle ORM
- Support for Supabase, Neon DB, and any Drizzle-compatible database
- 🔐 Secure authentication with Auth.js (Next-auth)
- Built-in Google Auth and Magic Link
- Role-based Access Control
- Session Management
- Protected Routes
Team Management
- 👥 Complete B2B team management solution
- Multi-organization System
- Role Hierarchy
- Organization Features:
- Create & Manage Organizations
- Organization Settings
- Custom Branding
- Activity Tracking
- Member Management:
- Invite Members
- Role Assignment
- Permission Control
- Member Removal
Pre-built In-App Experience
- 🎯 Ready-to-use features for modern applications
- User Features:
- Profile Management
- Account Settings
- Notification Preferences
- Security Settings
- Organization Features:
- Organization Profile
- Team Settings
- Billing Management
- Usage Analytics
- Onboarding Workflow
- Activity Dashboard
Email & Payments
- 📧 Multiple email service providers (SES, Resend, Mailgun)
- Custom Email Templates
- Transactional Emails
- 💳 Flexible payment gateways:
- Stripe Integration
- DodoPayments
- Lemon Squeezy
- Custom Payment Providers
- Webhook Handling
- Payment Analytics
Plan Management
- 📊 Complete subscription system
- Subscription Types:
- Monthly Plans
- Yearly Plans
- One-time Payments
- Custom Plans
- Quota Management
- Plan-based Features
- Billing Portal
- Lifetime Deals with Coupon Management
Development Tools & Admin Features
- 🛠️ Essential development tools:
- Authentication Wrappers
- Environment Management
- Config Management
- API Route Protection
- 📈 Powerful admin controls:
- Analytics dashboard
- User management
- Organization management
- Plan management
- Contact queries handling
Background Tasks & Code Quality
- ⚡ Efficient background processing:
- Email sequences
- Parallel task execution
- Chained AI apps
- 🛠️ Code quality tools:
- TypeScript
- ESLint/Prettier
- Tailwind CSS
- Custom hooks (useOrganization, useUser, useCurrentPlan)
SEO & Additional Features
- 🔍 Complete SEO optimization:
- Blog system
- Sitemap Generation
- OG Images
- SEO Optimized pages
- Robots.txt
- ✨ Additional features:
- Waitlist system
- Contact form
- Landing page
- Pricing component
- 600+ components
- 1000+ themes
- Discord community
- Comprehensive documentation
- 1-1 Call support
Perfect For:
- Solo developers who want to build scalable applications
- Startups planning for rapid growth
- Teams that need advanced features from day one
- Projects requiring enterprise-grade capabilities
- Developers who want to avoid rebuilding features later
How to Choose the Right Boilerplate
When selecting a boilerplate, consider these factors:
-
Project Requirements
- What features do you need?
- What's your team size?
- What's your budget?
-
Learning Curve
- How familiar is your team with Next.js?
- Do you need extensive documentation?
- Is there community support available?
-
Scalability
- Will the boilerplate support your growth?
- Can you easily add new features?
- Is it maintainable long-term?
-
Support & Updates
- How active is the development?
- Is there regular maintenance?
- Are security updates provided?
Getting Started
For OpenSaaS:
- Visit opensaas.sh
- Clone the repository
- Follow the setup instructions
- Start building your SaaS!
For IndieKit Pro:
- Visit indiekit.pro
- Choose your plan
- Get access to the premium boilerplate
- Deploy with enterprise features
Conclusion
Choosing the right Next.js boilerplate can significantly accelerate your development process. OpenSaaS is perfect for getting started, while IndieKit Pro offers the advanced features needed for growing businesses.
Remember:
- Start with a clear understanding of your requirements
- Consider both immediate needs and future growth
- Evaluate the total cost of ownership
- Check the community and support options
Whether you choose OpenSaaS or IndieKit Pro, you'll have a solid foundation to build upon. The key is to select the boilerplate that best fits your specific needs and goals.
Ready to start your Next.js project? Check out OpenSaaS for the free version or IndieKit Pro for the premium features.
