FastPocket vs Makerkit

When choosing between FastPocket and Makerkit, 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 FastPocket?

FastPocket is a boilerplate / starter‑kit for building web apps using PocketBase (as backend/database) paired with a modern frontend (Astro + React + TailwindCSS + daisyUI). It aims to give you a working foundation including authentication, payment integration, UI components, and deployment templates so you can move fast from idea to working app. FastPocket bundles support for payment processing via Stripe (one‑time and recurring payments) and ensures that your Stripe products synchronize with PocketBase which helps if you’re building a monetized web service. It also comes with a component library + theming (TailwindCSS + daisyUI) and pre-built UI components / layout structures (buttons, modals, cards, etc.), enabling rapid UI setup without designing everything from scratch. In addition, FastPocket provides documentation and deployment templates (for hosting backend and frontend), which lowers friction when going live. FastPocket fits developers or small teams who want to: start a web‑app or SaaS quickly, avoid spending time wiring auth, payments, backend, frontend, and instead focus on building the “real” product logic or features. Because it uses PocketBase, it can be a lightweight yet functional backend for small to medium‑sized apps. It also works well if you appreciate having an integrated stack (backend + payments + frontend + UI) that plays nicely together ideal for prototypes, MVPs, or first versions of a product.

Developed by Samuel Wyndham, FastPocket has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.

What is 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.

Created by Giancarlo Buomprisco, Makerkit offers a robust foundation for building scalable SaaS applications.

When building a SaaS application, choosing the right payment integration is crucial for monetization success. Let's compare the payment options available in FastPocket and Makerkit.

Both FastPocket and Makerkit are excellent choices for building SaaS applications. Your decision should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and technical preferences.

FastPocket is ideal if you're looking for a more affordable option with built-in authentication.

Makerkit stands out for its comprehensive feature set 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.