Gravity vs NextFire

When choosing between Gravity and NextFire, 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 Gravity?

Gravity is a full‑stack boilerplate for JavaScript/TypeScript projects combining a Node.js backend with a React (or React Native) frontend designed to give developers a head‑start when building SaaS applications. It aims to deliver a working foundation so that you don’t need to assemble all the plumbing (auth, billing, database, UI, API) from scratch. The boilerplate includes support for multiple databases (like Postgres, MySQL, MongoDB, MariaDB and possibly others) which gives flexibility depending on your data/storage preferences. There is also a full “stack” support: server (Node.js + Express/API backend), web client (React + Tailwind or similar), and optionally native mobile clients (via React Native), which helps if you want a unified codebase for web + mobile. Beyond the core stack, Gravity claims to bundle SaaS‑ready features: authentication (email/password, magic links, social logins, 2FA, account security), subscription & billing support (with free plans, trials, seat‑based or usage billing), and a library of UI components & views (dashboard, admin tools, layout components, responsive UI, dark mode, etc.). Gravity also offers a “website/landing page template” (built with a static‑site generator + modern site tooling) useful for marketing, landing pages, pricing pages, etc. — thereby giving you both the “app core” and “public‑facing site” foundation.

Developed by Kyle Gawley, Gravity has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.

What is NextFire?

NextFire is a boilerplate built with Next.js and Firebase designed to give developers a ready‑to‑go foundation for web apps or SaaS‑type projects. It bundles typical infrastructure: authentication, real‑time database (Firestore), storage, serverless functions, payments via Stripe, email support (via Mailgun + Firebase functions), UI components styled (e.g. with Tailwind CSS), analytics and a basic UI scaffold shortcuts to common pain points in app setup. NextFire positions itself as a way to save significant time on boilerplate: instead of wiring auth flows, database, payment logic, email, storage, and basic UI from scratch, you start with working core infrastructure so you can move straight to building your features. Using NextFire means committing to its stack (Next.js + Firebase + Stripe + the provided integrations/structure). If your project needs a custom backend, different database, or unusual architecture, you may need to refactor or replace parts. Also while it's suitable for many standard web apps and SaaS prototypes, if your needs are minimal or highly specialized, a lighter template or bespoke setup might make more sense.

Created by Lucas Moreira, NextFire 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 Gravity and NextFire.

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

Gravity is ideal if you're looking for a feature-rich solution with built-in authentication.

NextFire 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.