Detailed Comparison 2025
Cascade vs Solid
Compare Cascade and Solid side-by-side. We've analyzed features, pricing, and capabilities to help you choose the best boilerplate for your SaaS project.
Quick Overview
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.
Key Features
Solid
Solid is a SaaS‑oriented boilerplate / starter kit built on Next.js + React + TypeScript, designed to furnish most of the foundational pieces a modern web/SaaS project needs from frontend and backend structure to authentication, payments, content and UI components. Solid comes bundled with a wide range of features useful for SaaS or web‑app development: secure user authentication via NextAuth (supporting social login, magic‑link, password reset, etc.), database integration (designed to work with relational DB like PostgreSQL, via ORM or your preferred provider), subscription/payment support through Stripe, and blog/content support via a CMS (for instance Sanity for blog management), enabling dynamic content and documentation out-of-the-box. On the front‑end side, Solid offers a comprehensive UI kit and pre-made pages: landing page templates, pricing and business pages, blog lists and post pages, documentation pages (via MDX), auth flows pages, and responsive design with modern styling. It also includes performance & SEO optimizations, dark‑mode support, search integration (via Algolia for search), transactional email support, newsletter integration (e.g. via Mailchimp), and a collection of reusable UI components based on modern best practices, which can speed up development while maintaining code quality and scalability.
Key Features
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | CascadeFree | Solid$100 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $100 |
| Developer | Dima Ivashchuk | Vinny |
| 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 |
Cascade vs Solid: Detailed Analysis
When choosing between Cascade and Solid, 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 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.
Developed by Dima Ivashchuk, Cascade has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.
What is Solid?
Solid is a SaaS‑oriented boilerplate / starter kit built on Next.js + React + TypeScript, designed to furnish most of the foundational pieces a modern web/SaaS project needs from frontend and backend structure to authentication, payments, content and UI components. Solid comes bundled with a wide range of features useful for SaaS or web‑app development: secure user authentication via NextAuth (supporting social login, magic‑link, password reset, etc.), database integration (designed to work with relational DB like PostgreSQL, via ORM or your preferred provider), subscription/payment support through Stripe, and blog/content support via a CMS (for instance Sanity for blog management), enabling dynamic content and documentation out-of-the-box. On the front‑end side, Solid offers a comprehensive UI kit and pre-made pages: landing page templates, pricing and business pages, blog lists and post pages, documentation pages (via MDX), auth flows pages, and responsive design with modern styling. It also includes performance & SEO optimizations, dark‑mode support, search integration (via Algolia for search), transactional email support, newsletter integration (e.g. via Mailchimp), and a collection of reusable UI components based on modern best practices, which can speed up development while maintaining code quality and scalability.
Created by Vinny, Solid offers a robust foundation for building scalable SaaS applications.
Need to Promote Your Startup or Boilerplate?
Check out LaunchDirectories.com to get your startup or boilerplate listed in 100+ product launch directories and gain valuable backlinks from high-authority platforms. This is especially effective for new products looking to quickly build domain authority and gain backlinks.
Payment Integration: Cascade vs Solid
When building a SaaS application, choosing the right payment integration is crucial for monetization success. Let's compare the payment options available in Cascade and Solid.
Cascade Payment Options
Cascade supports Lemon Squeezy. This includes Merchant of Record (MoR) options that handle global tax compliance automatically, making it easier to sell internationally without worrying about VAT, GST, or sales tax regulations.
Solid Payment Options
Solid integrates with Stripe.
Key Differences Between Cascade and Solid
💰 Pricing
Cascade is priced at Free, while Solid costs $100. Solid offers better value at a lower price point, saving you 999899 dollars.
⚡ Features & Capabilities
Both boilerplates include authentication systems, making it easy to implement user login and registration.
Payment processing is available in both options. Cascade supports Lemon Squeezy, while Solid integrates with Stripe.
🎯 Best Use Cases
Cascade
- • SaaS startups looking for quick deployment
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with flexible budgets
Solid
- • SaaS applications needing rapid development
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
When to Choose Cascade vs Solid
Choose Cascade if:
- You want to start with Cascade's specific tech stack and approach
- Your project aligns with Cascade's feature set
Choose Solid if:
- You're looking for the most cost-effective solution
- You prefer Solid's specific approach and features
- Your requirements match Solid's capabilities
Final Verdict: Cascade vs Solid
Both Cascade and Solid are excellent choices for building SaaS applications. Your decision should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and technical preferences.
Cascade is ideal if you're looking for a feature-rich solution with built-in authentication.
Solid 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: Cascade vs Solid
Which is better: Cascade or Solid?
The "better" choice depends on your specific needs. Cascade excels in comprehensive features, while Solidstands out for value pricing. Consider your budget, required features, and development timeline when making your decision.
What's the price difference between Cascade and Solid?
Cascade costs Free while Solid is priced at $100. That's a difference of $999899. Both are one-time payments with no recurring fees, making them cost-effective long-term investments for your SaaS project.
Can I switch from Cascade to Solid 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 Cascade and Solid 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 Cascade and Solid 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 Cascade or Solid?
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 Cascade vs Solid?
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.
Explore More Comparisons
Browse all boilerplates and find the perfect starter kit for your SaaS project.