Detailed Comparison 2025
Indie Starter vs Shipfast
Compare Indie Starter and Shipfast side-by-side. We've analyzed features, pricing, and capabilities to help you choose the best boilerplate for your SaaS project.
Quick Overview
Indie Starter
Indie Starter is a boilerplate / starter‑kit built on a modern web stack (Next.js + React + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui) that aims to offer a clean, minimal yet ready‑for‑production foundation for SaaS or web applications. The boilerplate integrates backend/infrastructure services via Supabase (for database & auth) plus support for payments via Stripe for subscription or monetization flows. Indie Starter is structured to provide essential building blocks: authentication (including social logins, magic links, email/password), responsive UI components & layouts, a clean project architecture, type-safe configuration (via TypeScript + validation via Zod), and built-in SEO & content‑management setup (blog/landing page templates, metadata, etc.). Indie Starter makes sense for developers, indie makers, small teams or early‑stage founders who want to get a web app or SaaS up quickly without rewriting common infrastructure: auth, UI, payments, content, etc. It’s also suitable when you want type safety, modern stack, and clean architecture giving you a professional and maintainable starting point.
Key Features
Shipfast
ShipFast is a full‑stack SaaS and AI boilerplate built on Next.js, designed to help developers launch web applications and subscription-based products quickly. Trusted by over 135,000 users worldwide, it has been used to generate significant revenue and has proven itself as a reliable foundation for building production-ready SaaS products. The boilerplate includes authentication, payment and subscription management via Stripe or LemonSqueezy, database integration, email workflows, multi-tenant support, and prebuilt responsive UI components, along with templates for landing pages, blogs, and marketing content. ShipFast was created by Marc Lou, a renowned indie hacker and Product Hunt award winner, who actively uses the boilerplate to build and scale his own products. Its fully structured architecture, pre-wired SaaS flows, and ready-to-deploy setup allow developers to skip repetitive boilerplate work and focus on their product’s unique features. While it is highly effective for rapid launches, one limitation is that updates are not extremely frequent, which may require manual maintenance to keep dependencies up to date. Overall, ShipFast offers a trusted, widely adopted solution for indie founders, solo developers, and small teams seeking a fast, scalable, and feature-complete boilerplate for launching SaaS or AI-powered web applications.
Key Features
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Indie Starter$69 | Shipfast$199 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69 | $199 |
| Developer | Ali Hussein | Marc Lou |
| 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 |
Indie Starter vs Shipfast: Detailed Analysis
When choosing between Indie Starter and Shipfast, 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 Indie Starter?
Indie Starter is a boilerplate / starter‑kit built on a modern web stack (Next.js + React + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui) that aims to offer a clean, minimal yet ready‑for‑production foundation for SaaS or web applications. The boilerplate integrates backend/infrastructure services via Supabase (for database & auth) plus support for payments via Stripe for subscription or monetization flows. Indie Starter is structured to provide essential building blocks: authentication (including social logins, magic links, email/password), responsive UI components & layouts, a clean project architecture, type-safe configuration (via TypeScript + validation via Zod), and built-in SEO & content‑management setup (blog/landing page templates, metadata, etc.). Indie Starter makes sense for developers, indie makers, small teams or early‑stage founders who want to get a web app or SaaS up quickly without rewriting common infrastructure: auth, UI, payments, content, etc. It’s also suitable when you want type safety, modern stack, and clean architecture giving you a professional and maintainable starting point.
Developed by Ali Hussein, Indie Starter has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.
What is Shipfast?
ShipFast is a full‑stack SaaS and AI boilerplate built on Next.js, designed to help developers launch web applications and subscription-based products quickly. Trusted by over 135,000 users worldwide, it has been used to generate significant revenue and has proven itself as a reliable foundation for building production-ready SaaS products. The boilerplate includes authentication, payment and subscription management via Stripe or LemonSqueezy, database integration, email workflows, multi-tenant support, and prebuilt responsive UI components, along with templates for landing pages, blogs, and marketing content. ShipFast was created by Marc Lou, a renowned indie hacker and Product Hunt award winner, who actively uses the boilerplate to build and scale his own products. Its fully structured architecture, pre-wired SaaS flows, and ready-to-deploy setup allow developers to skip repetitive boilerplate work and focus on their product’s unique features. While it is highly effective for rapid launches, one limitation is that updates are not extremely frequent, which may require manual maintenance to keep dependencies up to date. Overall, ShipFast offers a trusted, widely adopted solution for indie founders, solo developers, and small teams seeking a fast, scalable, and feature-complete boilerplate for launching SaaS or AI-powered web applications.
Created by Marc Lou, Shipfast offers a robust foundation for building scalable SaaS applications.
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Payment Integration: Indie Starter vs Shipfast
Key Differences Between Indie Starter and Shipfast
💰 Pricing
Indie Starter is priced at $69, while Shipfast costs $199. This makes Indie Starter the more budget-friendly option, potentially saving you 130 dollars.
⚡ Features & Capabilities
Both boilerplates include authentication systems, making it easy to implement user login and registration.
Payment processing is available in both options. Indie Starter supports Stripe, while Shipfast integrates with Stripe.
🎯 Best Use Cases
Indie Starter
- • SaaS startups looking for quick deployment
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
Shipfast
- • SaaS applications needing rapid development
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
When to Choose Indie Starter vs Shipfast
Choose Indie Starter if:
- You're looking for the most cost-effective solution
- You want to start with Indie Starter's specific tech stack and approach
- Your project aligns with Indie Starter's feature set
Choose Shipfast if:
- You prefer Shipfast's specific approach and features
- Your requirements match Shipfast's capabilities
Final Verdict: Indie Starter vs Shipfast
Both Indie Starter and Shipfast are excellent choices for building SaaS applications. Your decision should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and technical preferences.
Indie Starter is ideal if you're looking for a more affordable option with built-in authentication.
Shipfast 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.
Frequently Asked Questions: Indie Starter vs Shipfast
Which is better: Indie Starter or Shipfast?
The "better" choice depends on your specific needs. Indie Starter excels in affordability, while Shipfaststands out for its feature set. Consider your budget, required features, and development timeline when making your decision.
What's the price difference between Indie Starter and Shipfast?
Indie Starter costs $69 while Shipfast is priced at $199. That's a difference of $130. Both are one-time payments with no recurring fees, making them cost-effective long-term investments for your SaaS project.
Can I switch from Indie Starter to Shipfast 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 Indie Starter and Shipfast 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 Indie Starter and Shipfast 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 Indie Starter or Shipfast?
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 Indie Starter vs Shipfast?
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.
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