Building a SaaS application from scratch can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to integrating essential features like user authentication, payment processing, and a clean UI. The Next.js SaaS Starter provides a robust framework that streamlines the development process, allowing developers to focus on creating value for their users. With built-in support for Stripe payments and user management, this starter template is perfect for developers looking to launch their SaaS applications quickly and efficiently.
What Is Next.js SaaS Starter?
Next.js SaaS Starter is a template designed specifically for creating Software as a Service (SaaS) applications using Next.js, Postgres, Stripe, and shadcn/ui. It offers a comprehensive solution that includes user authentication, a marketing landing page, and a dashboard for managing user accounts and subscriptions. This starter kit not only accelerates your development process but also ensures that you adhere to best practices for security and user experience.
Key Features
- Marketing Landing Page: A beautifully designed landing page with an animated terminal element to showcase your application’s features.
- Stripe Integration: Effortlessly connect to Stripe Checkout for handling payments and subscriptions.
- User Dashboard: CRUD operations for managing users and teams, complete with role-based access control (RBAC).
- Email/Password Authentication: Secure user authentication using JWTs stored in cookies.
- Middleware Support: Global and local middleware to protect routes and validate server actions.
- Activity Logging: Keep track of user events for better insights and monitoring.
- Subscription Management: Direct integration with Stripe Customer Portal for users to manage their subscriptions.
- Setup Script: Automate the creation of your environment variables and initial database setup.
Installation & Setup
Getting started with the Next.js SaaS Starter is simple. Here are the steps to set it up on your local machine:
git clone https://github.com/nextjs/saas-starter
cd saas-starter
pnpm installAfter cloning the repository, you’ll need to set up your Stripe account. First, log in to Stripe:
stripe loginNext, create your environment variables using the included setup script:
pnpm db:setupRun the database migrations and seed it with a default user and team:
pnpm db:migrate
pnpm db:seedThis will create a user with the email test@test.com and password admin123. You can also create new users through the /sign-up route.
Now, start the development server:
pnpm devFinally, open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000 to see your application running!
How to Use It
Let’s walk through a practical example of how to test payments using Stripe. After setting everything up, you can use the following test card details to simulate a payment:
- Card Number: 4242 4242 4242 4242
- Expiration: Any future date
- CVC: Any 3-digit number
To listen for Stripe webhooks locally, run the following command:
stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/api/stripe/webhookThis allows your local development server to handle subscription events directly from Stripe.
Who Should Use Next.js SaaS Starter?
This starter template is ideal for developers who want to create SaaS applications without starting from scratch. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting, if you’re looking for a robust solution that integrates essential features like authentication and payment processing, Next.js SaaS Starter is a perfect choice. It's also suitable for teams looking to prototype or launch MVPs quickly.
Final Thoughts
Next.js SaaS Starter offers a well-rounded solution for building SaaS applications effectively. The combination of Next.js and Stripe creates a powerful toolkit for developers, while the thoughtful inclusion of user management and authentication features greatly simplifies the development process. If you’re in the market for a reliable SaaS starter template, give Next.js SaaS Starter a try. It might just be the solution you’ve been seeking!