Detailed Comparison 2025
Achromatic vs Next Starter AI
Compare Achromatic and Next Starter AI side-by-side. We've analyzed features, pricing, and capabilities to help you choose the best boilerplate for your SaaS project.
Quick Overview
Achromatic
Achromatic is a Next.js 15–based SaaS starter that tries to cover most of the groundwork developers usually build themselves: authentication, organizations, role management, billing, email, and a consistent UI built on shadcn/ui and Tailwind. The appeal is that it doesn’t just drop in loose components — the pieces are wired together in a way that feels closer to a real application than a template. The onboarding flow, subscription logic, and organization system actually work out of the box, which makes it easy to jump into feature development without spending days on the usual boilerplate chores. There are a few things worth noting, though. The project is relatively new, and the ecosystem around it is still small, so you’re buying into a structure that depends heavily on the maintainer’s ongoing involvement. It’s an opinionated setup, which is great if you like the architecture as-is, but less ideal if you prefer a lighter, more minimal foundation. Achromatic positions itself as a time-saver for developers who want a polished starting point rather than assembling every piece manually, and it mostly succeeds at that. Still, it’s best suited for teams comfortable adopting someone else’s patterns and conventions anyone needing maximum flexibility might find it a bit heavier than they’d like.
Key Features
Next Starter AI
Next Starter AI is a full‑stack boilerplate built with Next.js + TypeScript + modern frontend tools, designed to help developers launch SaaS apps, AI‑powered web tools or web applications quickly. It bundles ready‑made integrations for common SaaS and web‑app infrastructure: authentication and user management, payment processing (via Stripe or LemonSqueezy), database setup, AI‑tool integration, email delivery, SEO / metadata configuration, landing pages, blog / content pages, and front‑end UI components giving you a nearly‑complete foundation so you don’t have to wire everything manually. Next Starter AI offers a codebase where payment flows, authentication, database/config setup, UI scaffolding, and essential web‑app plumbing are already implemented. That means you can skip repetitive setup work (user sign‑in/up, billing integration, email and content setup, landing page, blog, etc.) and focus directly on building your product’s features. It also includes templates and components for UI (landing pages, dashboards or web‑app views) and wiring for SEO, analytics/marketing integrations, email/mailing functionality, and options for AI‑tool integration if your app needs it.
Key Features
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Achromatic$180 | Next Starter AI$169 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $180 | $169 |
| Developer | Mahmut Jomaa | NextStarter |
| Authentication | ||
| Stripe Integration | ||
| Paddle Integration | ||
| Lemon Squeezy | ||
| Dodo Payments | ||
| Polar | ||
| Creem | ||
| Admin Panel | ||
| User Dashboard | ||
| Subscriptions | ||
| Blog | ||
| SEO Optimized | ||
| Documentation | ||
| Support | ||
| Tailwind CSS | ||
| API | ||
| Two-Factor Auth | ||
| Multi-Tenancy | ||
| Teams | ||
| Shadcn UI | ||
| View Details | View Page | View Page |
Achromatic vs Next Starter AI: Detailed Analysis
When choosing between Achromatic and Next Starter AI, it's essential to understand the key differences that make each boilerplate unique. Both are excellent choices for building SaaS applications, but they cater to different needs and development approaches.
What is Achromatic?
Achromatic is a Next.js 15–based SaaS starter that tries to cover most of the groundwork developers usually build themselves: authentication, organizations, role management, billing, email, and a consistent UI built on shadcn/ui and Tailwind. The appeal is that it doesn’t just drop in loose components — the pieces are wired together in a way that feels closer to a real application than a template. The onboarding flow, subscription logic, and organization system actually work out of the box, which makes it easy to jump into feature development without spending days on the usual boilerplate chores. There are a few things worth noting, though. The project is relatively new, and the ecosystem around it is still small, so you’re buying into a structure that depends heavily on the maintainer’s ongoing involvement. It’s an opinionated setup, which is great if you like the architecture as-is, but less ideal if you prefer a lighter, more minimal foundation. Achromatic positions itself as a time-saver for developers who want a polished starting point rather than assembling every piece manually, and it mostly succeeds at that. Still, it’s best suited for teams comfortable adopting someone else’s patterns and conventions anyone needing maximum flexibility might find it a bit heavier than they’d like.
Developed by Mahmut Jomaa, Achromatic has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.
What is Next Starter AI?
Next Starter AI is a full‑stack boilerplate built with Next.js + TypeScript + modern frontend tools, designed to help developers launch SaaS apps, AI‑powered web tools or web applications quickly. It bundles ready‑made integrations for common SaaS and web‑app infrastructure: authentication and user management, payment processing (via Stripe or LemonSqueezy), database setup, AI‑tool integration, email delivery, SEO / metadata configuration, landing pages, blog / content pages, and front‑end UI components giving you a nearly‑complete foundation so you don’t have to wire everything manually. Next Starter AI offers a codebase where payment flows, authentication, database/config setup, UI scaffolding, and essential web‑app plumbing are already implemented. That means you can skip repetitive setup work (user sign‑in/up, billing integration, email and content setup, landing page, blog, etc.) and focus directly on building your product’s features. It also includes templates and components for UI (landing pages, dashboards or web‑app views) and wiring for SEO, analytics/marketing integrations, email/mailing functionality, and options for AI‑tool integration if your app needs it.
Created by NextStarter, Next Starter AI offers a robust foundation for building scalable SaaS applications.
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Payment Integration: Achromatic vs Next Starter AI
When building a SaaS application, choosing the right payment integration is crucial for monetization success. Let's compare the payment options available in Achromatic and Next Starter AI.
Achromatic Payment Options
Achromatic supports Stripe.
Next Starter AI Payment Options
Next Starter AI integrates with Stripe and Lemon Squeezy. With Merchant of Record support, you can focus on building your product while the payment provider handles tax compliance, invoicing, and regulatory requirements across different countries.
Key Differences Between Achromatic and Next Starter AI
💰 Pricing
Achromatic is priced at $180, while Next Starter AI costs $169. Next Starter AI offers better value at a lower price point, saving you 11 dollars.
⚡ Features & Capabilities
Both boilerplates include authentication systems, making it easy to implement user login and registration.
Payment processing is available in both options. Achromatic supports Stripe, while Next Starter AI integrates with Stripe, Lemon Squeezy.
Both include admin panels for managing your application.
🎯 Best Use Cases
Achromatic
- • SaaS startups looking for quick deployment
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
Next Starter AI
- • SaaS applications needing rapid development
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
When to Choose Achromatic vs Next Starter AI
Choose Achromatic if:
- You want to start with Achromatic's specific tech stack and approach
- Your project aligns with Achromatic's feature set
Choose Next Starter AI if:
- You're looking for the most cost-effective solution
- You prefer Next Starter AI's specific approach and features
- Your requirements match Next Starter AI's capabilities
Final Verdict: Achromatic vs Next Starter AI
Both Achromatic and Next Starter AI are excellent choices for building SaaS applications. Your decision should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and technical preferences.
Achromatic is ideal if you're looking for a feature-rich solution with built-in authentication.
Next Starter AI stands out for its competitive pricing and is perfect for developers who need authentication.
Ultimately, both boilerplates will help you launch your SaaS product faster and more efficiently. Review the detailed comparison above, consider your project requirements, and choose the one that aligns best with your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Achromatic vs Next Starter AI
Which is better: Achromatic or Next Starter AI?
The "better" choice depends on your specific needs. Achromatic excels in comprehensive features, while Next Starter AIstands out for value pricing. Consider your budget, required features, and development timeline when making your decision.
What's the price difference between Achromatic and Next Starter AI?
Achromatic costs $180 while Next Starter AI is priced at $169. That's a difference of $11. Both are one-time payments with no recurring fees, making them cost-effective long-term investments for your SaaS project.
Can I switch from Achromatic to Next Starter AI later?
While technically possible, switching boilerplates mid-project is challenging and time-consuming. Each boilerplate has its own architecture, dependencies, and patterns. It's best to carefully evaluate both options now and choose the one that best fits your long-term needs to avoid costly migrations later.
Do Achromatic and Next Starter AI offer similar features?
Both boilerplates offer core SaaS features, but with different implementations and additional capabilities. Check the detailed feature comparison table above to see exactly which features each boilerplate includes. Key differences include payment integrations, authentication systems, and admin panel availability.
Which boilerplate is better for beginners?
For beginners, consider factors like documentation quality, community support, and code complexity. Both Achromatic and Next Starter AI are designed to be developer-friendly, but your choice should depend on your familiarity with their respective tech stacks and the learning resources available.
Are there any hidden costs with Achromatic or Next Starter AI?
Both boilerplates are one-time purchases with no recurring licensing fees. However, you may incur costs for third-party services they integrate with (like payment processors, email services, or hosting platforms). These operational costs are separate from the boilerplate purchase and apply to any SaaS application.
How long does it take to launch with Achromatic vs Next Starter AI?
Both boilerplates significantly reduce development time compared to building from scratch. Depending on your customization needs, you could launch a basic SaaS product in days or weeks rather than months. The exact timeline depends on your specific requirements, team size, and development experience.
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