ShipFast vs Shipped: Which Budget-Friendly Next.js Boilerplate Wins?

Choosing between ShipFast and Shipped is a common dilemma for indie hackers looking for a Next.js boilerplate without breaking the bank. Both promise rapid SaaS development, but they take different approaches.

Let's break down the differences.

Quick Comparison#

Aspect	ShipFast	Shipped
Price	$199	$157
Framework	Next.js	Next.js 14
UI Library	Tailwind CSS	Chakra UI + Tailwind
Database	MongoDB or Supabase	Prisma + Supabase
Payments	Stripe or Lemon Squeezy	Lemon Squeezy only
Auth	NextAuth (OAuth + magic links)	NextAuth + Supabase
Community	Large (10k+ users claimed)	Smaller, Discord access
Extras	Blog, SEO tools	Chrome Extension boilerplate option

Pricing & Value#

Pros

ShipFast ($199)

Larger community and more tutorials
Multiple database options
Stripe AND Lemon Squeezy support
More established track record

Cons

Shipped ($157)

Lower price point ($42 savings)
Chrome Extension bundle available ($207)
Lemon Squeezy only (simpler but limiting)
Smaller community

Feature Breakdown#

Authentication#

Both use NextAuth for authentication, but with different defaults:

ShipFast Auth

OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, etc.)

Magic link authentication

Email/password option

Shipped Auth

NextAuth integration

Supabase Auth as alternative

Social login providers

Payments#

This is where the biggest difference lies:

Info

ShipFast supports both Stripe and Lemon Squeezy, giving you flexibility. Shipped is Lemon Squeezy only—simpler to set up but limits your payment options.

If you need Stripe (for its wider payment method support or existing integration), ShipFast is the clear choice.

UI & Styling#

ShipFast uses pure Tailwind CSS with custom components, giving you maximum flexibility but requiring more styling work.

Shipped combines Chakra UI with Tailwind CSS. Chakra provides pre-built accessible components, which can speed up development but has a distinct visual style.

Tip

If you prefer shadcn/ui or pure Tailwind, ShipFast's approach will feel more familiar. If you like Chakra UI's component library, Shipped might save you time.

Unique Features#

ShipFast Exclusives#

ShipFast Only

Built-in blog functionality

SEO optimization tools

Email deliverability guidance (DNS setup)

Larger community (10k+ claimed users)

Shipped Exclusives#

Shipped Only

Chrome Extension boilerplate (premium tier)

Chakra UI component library included

Private Discord community

Lower entry price

Who Should Choose What#

Choose ShipFast If:#

ShipFast is better when you...

Need Stripe payment support

Want the largest community and resources

Prefer pure Tailwind CSS styling

Need built-in blog functionality

Want flexibility in database choice

Choose Shipped If:#

Shipped is better when you...

Budget is tight ($42 savings matters)

Building a Chrome Extension alongside your SaaS

Like Chakra UI's component approach

Lemon Squeezy is sufficient for your payments

Prefer a smaller, more intimate community

The Verdict#

Our Recommendation

Choose ShipFast if you want maximum flexibility, the largest community, and Stripe support. The extra $42 is worth it for most projects.

Choose Shipped if you're building a Chrome Extension SaaS, prefer Chakra UI, or specifically want Lemon Squeezy for its tax handling simplicity.

Both are solid choices for indie hackers. ShipFast is the safer bet with its larger ecosystem; Shipped offers better value if its specific features align with your needs.

Still Deciding?#

Compare more options in our Best Next.js SaaS Boilerplates guide, or take our quiz for a personalized recommendation.