Next.js Subscription Payments Starter vs Serverless

When choosing between Next.js Subscription Payments Starter and Serverless, 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 Next.js Subscription Payments Starter?

nextjs‑subscription‑payments is a starter template built on Next.js, integrating backend and billing essentials: user auth, database, and subscription payments designed to help you quickly spin up a SaaS or membership‑based web application. It relies on Supabase for authentication and database management (PostgreSQL under the hood), and on Stripe for payment/subscription processing. The integration includes Stripe Checkout for payments, the Stripe Customer Portal for managing subscriptions, and automatic synchronization of pricing plans and subscription statuses via Stripe webhooks, meaning subscription state (active, cancelled, etc.) and billing plans stay in sync between Stripe and your app database.

Developed by Vercel, Next.js Subscription Payments Starter has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.

What is Serverless?

Serverless.page is a full‑stack boilerplate / starter‑kit built on Next.js + React + Firebase + Stripe that aims to accelerate the process of launching a SaaS application. The kit provides essentials such as user authentication, subscription-based payment flows via Stripe, and a content structure including a landing page, blog, and built‑in CMS. It also includes support for team or workspace management (user accounts + team invites), transactional email integrations, and an admin dashboard - everything that typically takes time to wire up is pre‑configured. Because the project uses a serverless infrastructure (Firebase + Next.js), it promises scalability and cost-effectiveness, so there is no need to manage dedicated servers, and billing scale is based on actual usage. Adopting Serverless.page means committing to its stack: Next.js + React + Firebase + Stripe + the provided codebase structure. That gives speed to launch and many built‑in SaaS features, but reduces flexibility if you need a very custom backend, different database, or special integrations. Since it's “full‑featured,” it might feel heavyweight for smaller projects or very basic prototypes. You may end up with more dependencies and configuration than strictly needed if your use case is simple.

Created by Garrett Pierson, Serverless 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 Next.js Subscription Payments Starter and Serverless.

Both Next.js Subscription Payments Starter and Serverless are excellent choices for building SaaS applications. Your decision should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and technical preferences.

Next.js Subscription Payments Starter is ideal if you're looking for a feature-rich solution with built-in authentication.

Serverless 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.