Node.js

Free Node.js Boilerplates

Best Free Node.js Boilerplates

Discover the best free Node.js boilerplates and starter kits for building SaaS applications. Compare features and choose the one that fits your needs. All listings are built with Node.js, ensuring server-side JavaScript runtime, scalable backend architecture, and optimal performance for your next project.

SaaS Boilerplates

5 listings

Cascade
Cascade
Cascade is a free, open-source SaaS starter kit based on the T3 stack (with Next.js + Prisma + PostgreSQL + TypeScript) that aims to give you a “ready-to-code business logic” foundation rather than a full-blown UI framework. Its core philosophy is minimal bloat. Once you clone the repo, provide environment variables and database config, you can have a working backend (auth, DB, basic flows) running locally in minutes. Cascade supports essential SaaS‑app plumbing such as authentication (via Auth.js / NextAuth + Prisma), database setup (PostgreSQL + Prisma), payments & billing (through Lemon Squeezy integration), background jobs (with Trigger.dev), error tracking (via Sentry), analytics (via self‑hostable or free‑plan friendly services like PostHog / Plausible), plus optional “business‑adjacent” pieces: a markdown-based blog via Contentlayer, email flows, server‑side rendering, and basic CI/CD / deployment setups.
Stack
Next.jsReactNode.js
PriceFree
Lifetime
Enterprise SaaS Starter Kit
Enterprise SaaS Starter Kit
BoxyHQ SaaS Starter Kit is an open‑source boilerplate built with Next.js intended to give developers a ready‑to‑use foundation for building enterprise‑style SaaS applications. The kit uses a modern, commonly used stack: Next.js + React + Prisma (for database ORM) + PostgreSQL (for persistent storage) + Tailwind CSS (for styling) + TypeScript (for type safety and maintainability).
Stack
Next.jsReactNode.js
PriceFree
Lifetime
Nextacular
Nextacular
Nextacular is a free, open‑source SaaS boilerplate built on Next.js (with React), using Prisma for database/ORM and styled with Tailwind CSS. It comes pre‑wired with core SaaS features: user authentication (magic‑link, OAuth/social logins via NextAuth.js), database integration (Prisma + a relational DB, e.g. PostgreSQL), multi‑tenant and workspace/team support, billing and subscription management via Stripe, customizable landing page and frontend scaffold, basic SEO setup, and email/communication support (for transactional emails, etc.). It also offers deployment‑friendly setup (with a one‑click deploy option for Vercel) and a modular, modern stack which can save significant time compared to building all infrastructure yourself. Nextacular is a good fit when you want to build a SaaS product that expects multiple organizations/teams, subscription billing, user authentication, and you prefer a clean, battle‑tested tech stack (Next.js + Prisma + Tailwind + Stripe). It’s especially attractive if you want to go from idea to a working prototype or MVP quickly without wiring all backend and billing/payment logic manually.
Stack
Next.jsReactNode.js
PriceFree
SaaS Starter Kit
SaaS Starter Kit
SaaS Starter Kit is a boilerplate/template for building full‑featured SaaS or web apps using Next.js + React + Tailwind CSS + modern tools/stack conventions. The template includes a complete backend + frontend foundation: user authentication (email, social OAuth, magic‑link), subscription payments and billing flows via Stripe or LemonSqueezy, subscription management (update/cancel/subscription portal), and multi‑tenancy support (organizations, team invites, roles & permissions) for apps that require team or org‑based access control. On the frontend side you get a pre‑made UI built with Tailwind + shadcn/ui, mobile/tablet responsiveness, dark‑mode support, and a set of ready‑to‑use pages: landing, pricing, blog, dashboard, admin panel plus built‑in support for email workflows (via Resend + react‑email), blog/content management, and basic marketing/ public‑facing site templates. The codebase is designed to be production‑ready: after setting environment variables you can deploy right away (optimized for deployment on services like Vercel). The project claims clean, modular architecture and full access to code so you own your code and can adapt it as needed. Because the kit is relatively feature‑rich (auth, payments, roles/permissions, multi‑tenant/org support, blog/marketing pages, email workflows, UI scaffolding, etc.), it may feel heavier than minimal templates, which for simple apps, prototypes or highly customized projects might introduce overhead.
Stack
Next.jsReactNode.js
PriceFree
Lifetime
Supanuxt
Supanuxt
This SAAS boilerplate is designed to streamline development using modern technologies like Nuxt3, Supabase, and Prisma. It emphasizes separation of concerns and avoiding vendor lock-in, opting for Prisma over Supabase API for database management, and TRPC over REST for efficient client-server communication. The template integrates Stripe for payment processing and supports OAuth via Supabase for authentication. Tailored for flexibility, it uses the Composition API across components and stores, ensuring a consistent approach. Deployment is simplified through Netlify, with detailed guidance on environment setup. This boilerplate serves as a robust starting point for building scalable SAAS applications.
Stack
ReactNode.jsRemixNuxt.js
PriceFree
Lifetime

Why Use Free Node.js Boilerplates?

Free Node.js boilerplates offer a powerful starting point for building scalable SaaS backends and APIs without any upfront investment. These open-source starter kits provide essential server-side functionality including RESTful APIs, database connections, authentication middleware, file uploads, and more. Whether you're building a microservices architecture, API server, or full-stack application, free Node.js boilerplates give you production-ready backend infrastructure at zero cost.

What to Look For in Free Node.js Boilerplates

When choosing a free Node.js boilerplate, look for projects built with Express.js or Fastify, database integration (MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL), authentication (JWT, Passport.js), API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI), error handling, logging, and testing setup. The best free Node.js boilerplates include TypeScript support, environment configuration, Docker setup, and deployment guides. Check for active maintenance and security best practices.

Getting Started with Free Node.js Boilerplates

To start with a free Node.js boilerplate, clone the repository, install dependencies with npm or yarn, set up your database, configure environment variables, and run the server. Most free Node.js boilerplates include database migration scripts and seed data. You'll need to configure your database connection, API keys, and authentication settings. Once configured, you can start building your API endpoints and integrate with your frontend application.

Benefits of Free Node.js Boilerplates

  • Zero cost - Build powerful backends without licensing fees
  • JavaScript everywhere - Use the same language for frontend and backend
  • High performance - Non-blocking I/O for excellent scalability
  • Rich ecosystem - Access to npm's vast package library
  • Real-time capabilities - Built-in support for WebSockets and streaming
  • Cross-platform - Run on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Common Features in Free Node.js Boilerplates

Express.js or Fastify framework
RESTful API structure
Database integration (MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL)
Authentication and authorization
JWT token handling
File upload and storage
Error handling middleware
Request validation
API documentation
Testing setup

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Node.js Boilerplates

Are free Node.js boilerplates production-ready?

Many free Node.js boilerplates are production-ready and used by real SaaS applications. However, you should always review the code, check for security updates, and conduct your own testing before deploying to production. Look for boilerplates with active maintenance, good documentation, and positive community feedback.

Can I use free Node.js boilerplates for commercial projects?

Most free Node.js boilerplates use permissive licenses like MIT or Apache that allow commercial use. However, always check the license file in the repository to ensure you can use it for your commercial SaaS project. Some boilerplates may have specific attribution requirements.

How do I get support for free Node.js boilerplates?

Free Node.js boilerplates typically offer community support through GitHub issues, Discord servers, or community forums. You can also find help in documentation, tutorials, and community discussions. While support may be slower than paid options, active communities often provide helpful responses.

What's the difference between free and paid Node.js boilerplates?

Free Node.js boilerplates are typically open-source with community support, while paid options usually include premium support, detailed documentation, video tutorials, and sometimes additional features. Free options are great for developers comfortable with self-learning, while paid options offer more hand-holding and faster problem resolution.