Gravity vs Ship SaaS

When choosing between Gravity and Ship SaaS, 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 Ship SaaS?

Ship SaaS is a full‑stack boilerplate built with Next.js, Supabase (backend/auth/database), and Tailwind CSS, designed to give developers a ready-made foundation for SaaS or subscription‑driven web applications. With Ship SaaS you obtain working user authentication (registration / login / password reset flows via Supabase), database setup, integrated billing/subscription support via Stripe, and a serverless-ready stack that can be hosted on scalable platforms. It also includes public‑facing page templates, a Striped‑connected backend and basic UI/layout scaffolding. Ship SaaS is best when you’re building a SaaS or subscription‑based web app, you value rapid launch, and you’re comfortable with its tech stack and abstractions. It’s ideal for a solo developer, indie founder or small team wanting to get up and running quickly without reinventing the “plumbing.” It may be less suitable if your project needs a highly customized backend, non‑standard architecture, or minimal dependency footprint - in those cases a lighter template or custom build might serve better.

Created by Nico Botha, Ship SaaS 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 Ship SaaS.

Both Gravity and Ship SaaS 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.

Ship SaaS 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.