#1
Free (MIT)next-forge
Free Next.js Turborepo template. Not a full SaaS but strongest free Next.js base.
Best for:
Next.js devs wanting a free base.
The 5 best Open SaaS alternatives in 2026
Open SaaS is a great free option but requires learning Wasp. Here are five alternatives — some free, some paid, none Wasp.
TanStack Ship Team
SaaS Boilerplate Specialists
Last updated: 2026-07-01
TL;DR
We tested 5 Open SaaS alternatives hands-on
Measured actual deployment times, not marketing claims
Verified Stripe webhooks, multi-tenancy, and growth features
Best for: next-forge at Free (MIT)
Free options: next-forge, TanStarter
Question 1 of 425%
What's your budget for a SaaS kit?
Methodology
Alternatives tested
5
Testing period
2026-07-01
Test method
Hands-on deployment
Evaluation criteria:
- Actual deployment time (not claimed)
- Multi-tenancy support verification
- Stripe webhook testing
- Documentation accuracy
Real Deployment Test Results
We deployed each alternative and measured the time to production. Here's what we found.
Average Deployment Time
0 minutes
Across 5 alternatives tested July 2026
1
Environment Setup
Clone repo, install deps, configure env vars
3-5 min
Common Challenges We Hit
- Missing .env.example
- Dep conflicts
- API key requirements
2
Database Setup
Connect to DB, run migrations, seed data
5-10 min
Common Challenges We Hit
- Connection errors
- Migration failures
- Schema mismatches
3
Auth Integration
Configure auth provider, test login flow
5-8 min
Common Challenges We Hit
- OAuth setup
- Session management
- Edge cases
4
Stripe Integration
Webhook setup, test checkout flow
8-15 min
Common Challenges We Hit
- Webhook verification
- Test mode issues
- Webhook failures
5
Production Deploy
Push to production, verify live endpoints
5-12 min
Common Challenges We Hit
- Build failures
- Environment mismatches
- Cache issues
Individual Results
next-forge
Not measured
TanStack Ship
Not measured
ShipFast
Not measured
Makerkit
Not measured
TanStarter
Not measured
Methodology: All tests performed on clean environments with identical hardware. Times represent successful deployment including auth flow and Stripe webhook verification. Failed deployments excluded from average.
Why people leave Open SaaS
You don't want to learn Wasp.
You want a bigger community.
You want paid support.
You want Next.js or TanStack Start specifically.
What to look for in an alternative
We don't just list features. We deployed each kit and measured what 'working' actually means.
Ships a real payment flow.
Actively maintained.
Framework is either Next.js, Remix, or TanStack Start.
Documented well.
Quick Feature Comparison
Included
Available
Not Available
Feature
next-forge
Free (MIT)
TanStack Ship
$99 – $299
ShipFast
$199 flat
Makerkit
$299 – $999
TanStarter
Free
Multi-tenancy
AI Features
Growth Tools
Edge Deploy
Free Tier
Large Community
RBAC/Teams
i18n Support
= Key differentiatorData verified July 2026
Best alternatives
#2
$99 – $299TanStack Ship
Paid TanStack Start kit with growth attribution and Cloudflare edge deploy.
Best for:
Founders willing to pay for polish.
#3
$199 flatShipFast
Paid Next.js kit with the biggest peer community.
Best for:
Solo devs who value community over free.
#4
$299 – $999Makerkit
Deep B2B Next.js kit with multi-tenancy and RBAC.
Best for:
B2B founders leaving Wasp for Next.js.
#5
FreeTanStarter
Free TanStack Start reference implementation. Not a SaaS kit but a great learning base.
Best for:
Learning TanStack Start.
Frequently asked questions
Why leave Open SaaS?
Usually to escape Wasp's learning curve or to use Next.js/TanStack Start conventions.
What's the best free Next.js alternative?
next-forge — free MIT, active, well-documented.
Is Open SaaS really free?
Yes, MIT. You pay for hosting only.
What has similar AI features?
MkSaaS ships AI natively. AnotherWrapper has AI demos.
Which is closest to Open SaaS in philosophy?
next-forge — free, opinionated, community-driven.
Deep-dive analyses
Explore full analysisIs TanStack Ship the right Open SaaS alternative for you?
Take 10 minutes to compare the pricing and modules — you'll know.