Best Node.js Boilerplates
Browse our curated selection of the best Node.js boilerplates. All listings below have been carefully selected for their exceptional quality, comprehensive features, and outstanding value. These top-rated boilerplates represent the cream of the crop in the Node.js ecosystem.
Shipfast
ShipFast is a full‑stack SaaS and AI boilerplate built on Next.js, designed to help developers launch web applications and subscription-based products quickly. Trusted by over 135,000 users worldwide, it has been used to generate significant revenue and has proven itself as a reliable foundation for building production-ready SaaS products. The boilerplate includes authentication, payment and subscription management via Stripe or LemonSqueezy, database integration, email workflows, multi-tenant support, and prebuilt responsive UI components, along with templates for landing pages, blogs, and marketing content. ShipFast was created by Marc Lou, a renowned indie hacker and Product Hunt award winner, who actively uses the boilerplate to build and scale his own products. Its fully structured architecture, pre-wired SaaS flows, and ready-to-deploy setup allow developers to skip repetitive boilerplate work and focus on their product’s unique features. While it is highly effective for rapid launches, one limitation is that updates are not extremely frequent, which may require manual maintenance to keep dependencies up to date. Overall, ShipFast offers a trusted, widely adopted solution for indie founders, solo developers, and small teams seeking a fast, scalable, and feature-complete boilerplate for launching SaaS or AI-powered web applications.
by Marc Lou
Makerkit
MakerKit is a SaaS‑starter boilerplate built for modern React/Next.js (also supporting Remix/Supabase or Firebase variants) that tries to give you a production‑ready foundation, rather than a barebones template. At its core MakerKit bundles authentication (email, social login, magic‑link, optional MFA), user and team/organization management (multi‑tenancy, roles, invitations), and subscription/billing support via payment providers (Stripe or Lemon Squeezy). The boilerplate comes styled by default using a modern UI stack with Tailwind CSS (and Shadcn/Radix‑based UI components), with light/dark mode and includes UI scaffolding for dashboards, admin panels, marketing pages, blog/documentation pages, and a customizable layout structure. MakerKit aims to reduce the time and effort needed to ship a SaaS: instead of wiring up auth, payments, data layer, UI and common SaaS flows from scratch, you get a working skeleton that you can extend, customize, and build on. This includes also support for serverless or traditional hosting setups, built‑in support for sending stylized transactional emails, and optional plugins/features (like documentation/blog generation, admin dashboards, analytics hooks, and more) to help bootstrap both the product and its public-facing/marketing side.
by Giancarlo Buomprisco
What Node.js Boilerplate is Best?
Determining which Node.js boilerplate is best for your project is not a question with a one-size-fits-all answer. The "best" boilerplate depends on your specific needs, budget, technical requirements, and project goals. What works perfectly for one developer or startup might not be the ideal choice for another.
Different Node.js boilerplates excel in different areas. Some prioritize comprehensive features and extensive functionality, while others focus on simplicity and ease of use. Some offer premium support and detailed documentation, while others provide more flexibility for customization. The best choice depends on factors like your development experience, timeline, budget, and specific feature requirements.
To help you make an informed decision, we've prepared a comprehensive comparison table below that highlights the key features of each top-rated Node.js boilerplate. This comparison allows you to quickly see which boilerplates include the features most important to your project, making it easier to identify the best option for your specific needs.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stripe | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin Panel | — | ✓ |
| User Dashboard | — | ✓ |
| Subscriptions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blog | ✓ | ✓ |
| SEO | ✓ | ✓ |
| Documentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tailwind CSS | — | ✓ |
| API | — | — |
| CMS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Actions | Visit Website | Visit Website |
Use this comparison table to identify which Node.js boilerplate includes the features most important to your project. Click on any boilerplate name above to view detailed information and make your final decision.
Why Use the Best Node.js Boilerplates?
The best Node.js boilerplates offer a powerful starting point for building scalable SaaS backends and APIs with production-ready infrastructure. These carefully selected 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, the best Node.js boilerplates give you enterprise-grade backend infrastructure that accelerates development.
If you're looking for all Node.js boilerplates, including free and paid options, check out our complete Node.js boilerplates directory.
What to Look For in the Best Node.js Boilerplates
When choosing the best Node.js boilerplate, look for projects built with Express.js or Fastify, comprehensive database integration (MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL), robust authentication (JWT, Passport.js), API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI), error handling, logging, and testing setup. The best Node.js boilerplates include TypeScript support, environment configuration, Docker setup, security best practices, and deployment guides. Check for active maintenance and positive community feedback.
For a comprehensive comparison of all top-rated boilerplates across different frameworks, visit our best boilerplates directory.
Getting Started with the Best Node.js Boilerplates
To start with the best Node.js boilerplate, purchase and download the template, install dependencies, set up your database, configure environment variables, and run the server. Most best 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 the Best Node.js Boilerplates
- ✓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
- ✓Production-ready - Enterprise-grade architecture and patterns
- ✓Comprehensive features - Authentication, APIs, database, and more
- ✓Active support - Get help when you need it
Common Features in the Best Node.js Boilerplates
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Node.js Boilerplates
What is the best Node.js boilerplate for SaaS?
The best Node.js boilerplate for SaaS depends on your specific needs, but top choices typically include comprehensive authentication, payment processing (Stripe or Paddle), admin panels, user dashboards, and subscription management. Look for boilerplates with production-ready code, active maintenance, good documentation, and features that match your project requirements. Compare the listings above to find one that fits your budget and technical needs.
How much time can a Node.js boilerplate save me?
A quality Node.js boilerplate can save you 2-6 months of development time. Instead of building authentication, payment systems, admin panels, email functionality, and database schemas from scratch, you get these features pre-built and tested. This lets you focus on your unique business logic and ship your product faster. Many developers report launching their MVPs in weeks instead of months.
Are Node.js boilerplates worth the cost?
Yes, Node.js boilerplates are typically worth the investment. If you value your development time at $50-100/hour, a boilerplate that saves you 200+ hours of work pays for itself many times over. Beyond time savings, you get tested code, best practices, security features, and ongoing updates. Most successful SaaS founders consider boilerplates one of their best early investments.
Can I use a Node.js boilerplate for commercial projects?
Yes, most Node.js boilerplates allow commercial use. They typically include licenses that permit building and selling products using the boilerplate code. However, always check the specific license terms before purchasing. Most use single-project or unlimited-project licenses, and some offer source code that you can modify freely for your commercial SaaS products.
What features should the best Node.js boilerplate include?
The best Node.js boilerplates should include: authentication (email/password, OAuth, magic links), payment processing (Stripe, Paddle, or similar), database integration, admin panel, user dashboard, email system, subscription management, role-based access control, API endpoints, and responsive UI. Premium boilerplates often add features like multi-tenancy, team management, analytics, and advanced integrations.
How do I choose between different Node.js boilerplates?
Compare boilerplates based on: included features, documentation quality, update frequency, support responsiveness, tech stack compatibility, pricing, user reviews, and demo availability. Use the comparison table above to evaluate features side-by-side. Consider whether you need specific integrations (payment processors, email providers, hosting platforms) and check if the boilerplate supports them. Read reviews and check for active maintenance before purchasing.
Do Node.js boilerplates include updates and support?
Most Node.js boilerplates include updates for bug fixes and security patches. Premium boilerplates often offer lifetime updates with new features added regularly. Support varies by product—expect email support, documentation, and community access as standard. Premium options may include priority support, private Discord channels, or direct messaging with the creator. Always check the specific support terms before purchase.
Can I customize a Node.js boilerplate for my specific needs?
Yes, Node.js boilerplates are designed to be fully customizable. You get access to all source code, allowing you to modify features, add new functionality, change the UI/UX, integrate additional services, and adapt the code to your specific requirements. The best boilerplates are built with extensibility in mind, making customization straightforward even for developers new to Node.js.
Are there free Node.js boilerplates available?
Yes, there are free Node.js boilerplates available, though they typically offer fewer features and less support than paid options. Free boilerplates are great for learning, prototyping, or small projects, but paid boilerplates usually provide more comprehensive features, better documentation, active support, and regular updates. For serious SaaS projects, investing in a quality paid boilerplate often saves time and headaches in the long run.
How quickly can I launch with a Node.js boilerplate?
With a Node.js boilerplate, you can launch an MVP in 1-4 weeks instead of 2-6 months building from scratch. Setup typically takes a few hours, then you focus on customizing the UI, adding your unique features, and configuring integrations. The exact timeline depends on your experience level, the complexity of your product, and how much customization you need. Many founders ship their first version within days of purchasing a boilerplate.
What's the difference between a Node.js boilerplate and a template?
A Node.js boilerplate includes full backend functionality (authentication, database, APIs, payment processing), while templates typically focus only on UI/frontend design. Boilerplates provide complete, production-ready applications with working features, whereas templates offer design starting points that you'll need to connect to backend services. For building a SaaS product, you want a full-featured boilerplate, not just a visual template.