Horizon Boilerplate vs NextFire

When choosing between Horizon Boilerplate 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 Horizon Boilerplate?

Horizon UI Boilerplate is a full‑stack / UI‑kit + boilerplate template for web applications built on modern front‑end and backend technologies. It is designed to help developers jump‑start a project (dashboard, SaaS app, admin panel, landing pages, etc.) without building all the plumbing and UI from scratch. Under the hood, it uses Next.js (recent version), along with React, and it supports styling with Tailwind CSS. It also integrates with Supabase for database/auth (or backend services) and Stripe for payment/billing handling providing a foundation for SaaS‑style apps with user authentication, subscriptions, payments, and user sessions. It supplies a large library of ready-made frontend building blocks: dashboards, admin layouts, landing pages, authentication screens, UI components (buttons, cards, navbars, form elements, etc.), and example page templates. This offers a starting point with both structural and visual parts already assembled. The boilerplate is offered in multiple variants: including a version built with Chakra UI or integration with shadcn/ui / Shadcn‑styled components or Tailwind, depending on your preference.

Developed by Vlad Mihalache, Horizon Boilerplate 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 Horizon Boilerplate and NextFire.

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

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

NextFire 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.