#1
FreeTanStarter
The community TanStack Start reference implementation. Minimal but complete.
Best for:
Learning TanStack Start or building a custom baseline.
TanStack Ship vs TanStarter: same stack, different depth
TanStarter teaches you TanStack Start end-to-end. TanStack Ship gives you a paid SaaS platform on top of it. They serve different moments in your journey.
TanStack Ship Team
SaaS Boilerplate Specialists
Last updated: 2026-07-10
TL;DR
Choose TanStarter if you want to learn TanStack Start from a solid reference.
Choose TanStack Ship if you need a production SaaS with billing and growth.
Many founders start with TanStarter, then migrate to TanStack Ship when ready to monetize.
Question 1 of 425%
What's your budget for a SaaS kit?
Methodology
Alternatives tested
2
Testing period
2026-07-10
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 2 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
TanStarter
Not measured
TanStack Ship
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 TanStarter
TanStarter is minimal by design — great for learning, less for production SaaS.
You need billing, growth features, or admin dashboards TanStarter doesn't provide.
You want production-tested modules instead of building from scratch.
What to look for in an alternative
We evaluated both based on production SaaS requirements. TanStarter excels as a learning reference. TanStack Ship extends that foundation into a production platform.
Includes real billing with Stripe (not just a button).
Has growth attribution (UTM tracking, MRR dashboards).
Ships admin dashboard for feature management.
Multi-language support built-in.
Edge deployment ready.
Quick Feature Comparison
Included
Available
Not Available
Feature
TanStarter
Free
TanStack Ship
$99 – $299
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
Production SaaS platform on TanStack Start. Billing, growth, admin, i18n included.
Best for:
Founders shipping a paid TanStack SaaS.
Frequently asked questions
Are they the same team?
No — TanStarter is community-maintained. TanStack Ship is our product.
Can I upgrade from TanStarter to TanStack Ship?
Not automatically — the codebases differ. But you'll be at home in TanStack Ship if you know TanStarter.
Which for a first TanStack project?
TanStarter — simpler to hold in your head.
Which for a paid product?
TanStack Ship — you'd otherwise build the payment/admin/growth pieces yourself.
What does TanStack Ship cost me if I don't use most modules?
The modules are opt-in per feature flag. You pay once for what's useful now and turn on the rest when needed.
Deep-dive analyses
Explore full analysisIs TanStack Ship the right TanStarter alternative for you?
Take 10 minutes to compare the pricing and modules — you'll know.