Detailed Comparison 2025
Shipfast vs Zexa Next
Compare Shipfast and Zexa Next side-by-side. We've analyzed features, pricing, and capabilities to help you choose the best boilerplate for your SaaS project.
Quick Overview
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
Zexa Next
ZexaNext is a full‑featured Next.js boilerplate built for SaaS developers and startups who want to launch modern web apps quickly and reliably. It combines robust authentication (email/password, social login, password recovery), PostgreSQL database with Prisma ORM, payment and subscription handling via Stripe, email integration via Resend, and support for responsive landing pages styled with Tailwind CSS. ZexaNext also delivers built‑in features such as dark mode, a markdown‑based blog and documentation system, SEO‑optimized pages, and animated UI components using shadcn/ui and Framer Motion. Its default configuration is optimized for performance and SEO thanks to Next.js server‑side rendering and integrated analytics support. With ZexaNext you skip repetitive boilerplate code and get a scalable, production‑ready foundation from day one — allowing you to focus on building unique product logic and bringing your SaaS idea to market fast.
Key Features
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shipfast$199 | Zexa Next$49 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $49 |
| Developer | Marc Lou | ZexaNext |
| 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 |
Shipfast vs Zexa Next: Detailed Analysis
When choosing between Shipfast and Zexa Next, 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 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.
Developed by Marc Lou, Shipfast has become a popular choice among developers looking for a reliable starting point for their SaaS projects.
What is Zexa Next?
ZexaNext is a full‑featured Next.js boilerplate built for SaaS developers and startups who want to launch modern web apps quickly and reliably. It combines robust authentication (email/password, social login, password recovery), PostgreSQL database with Prisma ORM, payment and subscription handling via Stripe, email integration via Resend, and support for responsive landing pages styled with Tailwind CSS. ZexaNext also delivers built‑in features such as dark mode, a markdown‑based blog and documentation system, SEO‑optimized pages, and animated UI components using shadcn/ui and Framer Motion. Its default configuration is optimized for performance and SEO thanks to Next.js server‑side rendering and integrated analytics support. With ZexaNext you skip repetitive boilerplate code and get a scalable, production‑ready foundation from day one — allowing you to focus on building unique product logic and bringing your SaaS idea to market fast.
Created by ZexaNext, Zexa Next offers a robust foundation for building scalable SaaS applications.
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Payment Integration: Shipfast vs Zexa Next
Key Differences Between Shipfast and Zexa Next
💰 Pricing
Shipfast is priced at $199, while Zexa Next costs $49. Zexa Next offers better value at a lower price point, saving you 150 dollars.
⚡ Features & Capabilities
Both boilerplates include authentication systems, making it easy to implement user login and registration.
Payment processing is available in both options. Shipfast supports Stripe, while Zexa Next integrates with Stripe.
Zexa Next includes an admin panel for easier application management.
🎯 Best Use Cases
Shipfast
- • SaaS startups looking for quick deployment
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
Zexa Next
- • SaaS applications needing rapid development
- • Projects requiring authentication
- • Teams with limited budgets
When to Choose Shipfast vs Zexa Next
Choose Shipfast if:
- You want to start with Shipfast's specific tech stack and approach
- Your project aligns with Shipfast's feature set
Choose Zexa Next if:
- You're looking for the most cost-effective solution
- You require an admin panel for managing your application
- You prefer Zexa Next's specific approach and features
- Your requirements match Zexa Next's capabilities
Final Verdict: Shipfast vs Zexa Next
Both Shipfast and Zexa Next are excellent choices for building SaaS applications. Your decision should be based on your specific requirements, budget, and technical preferences.
Shipfast is ideal if you're looking for a feature-rich solution with built-in authentication.
Zexa Next 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.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shipfast vs Zexa Next
Which is better: Shipfast or Zexa Next?
The "better" choice depends on your specific needs. Shipfast excels in comprehensive features, while Zexa Nextstands out for value pricing. Consider your budget, required features, and development timeline when making your decision.
What's the price difference between Shipfast and Zexa Next?
Shipfast costs $199 while Zexa Next is priced at $49. That's a difference of $150. Both are one-time payments with no recurring fees, making them cost-effective long-term investments for your SaaS project.
Can I switch from Shipfast to Zexa Next 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 Shipfast and Zexa Next 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 Shipfast and Zexa Next 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 Shipfast or Zexa Next?
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 Shipfast vs Zexa Next?
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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