Three-way comparison
Open SaaS vs Makerkit vs TanStack Ship: free Wasp vs paid Next vs paid TanStack
Three different framework bets. Open SaaS says learn Wasp. Makerkit says stay on Next.js. TanStack Ship says try TanStack Start.
2026-07-01
This is a "framework choice" decision: - Open SaaS: Wasp DSL, 10-20 hour learning curve - Makerkit: Next.js, 0 learning curve (if you know Next.js) I ultimately chose Makerkit because my team already knew Next.js and didn't want to introduce the Wasp DSL. But if you like new abstractions and have a limited budget, Open SaaS's free AI demos are worth considering. Below, I'll analyze the framework choice in detail.
TL;DR
- Pick Open SaaS if you enjoy learning new tools and want a free AI SaaS reference.
- Pick Makerkit if your team is Next.js-native and you need serious B2B features.
- Pick TanStack Ship if you want paid quality + growth ops on TanStack Start + Cloudflare.
| Dimension | Open SaaS | Makerkit | TanStack Ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (MIT) | $299 – $999 | $99 – $299 |
| Framework | Wasp DSL | Next.js (Remix) | TanStack Start |
| Learning curve | 10–20h Wasp | ~0 for Next.js devs | 2–4h TanStack Start |
| Multi-tenant | Basic | Deepest | Deep |
| AI reference | Full demo | None | AI Workspace variant |
| UTM / MRR | No | No | Built in |
| Support | Community | Paid + community | Founder-direct |
The Wasp question
Wasp is a full-stack DSL. Powerful, opinionated, and a bet on a smaller ecosystem.
If you want portability, Next.js is safer. If you love novel abstractions, Wasp is fun.
How TanStack Ship handles this
TanStack Ship's TanStack Start is closer to Next.js than to Wasp in mental model — it's idiomatic React, not a DSL. If you're on the fence about Wasp's ecosystem size, TanStack Start is a lower-risk bet with similar DX wins.
Who Open SaaS is best for
- Builders exploring new frameworks
- AI SaaS with a working reference
- Zero-budget projects
Who Makerkit is best for
- Next.js-native teams
- Serious B2B products
- Buyers of maintained updates
Who TanStack Ship is best for
- Growth-first founders
- Cloudflare edge believers
- React devs wanting TanStack DX
Which should you pick?
Three concrete scenarios. Find the closest match, take the recommendation.
Zero-budget dev building an AI SaaS, willing to learn Wasp
Open SaaS's AI demo is free and complete.
Team of 3 building enterprise B2B on Next.js
Makerkit Pro/Turbo's deep RBAC and Next.js community.
Solo founder on paid acquisition, wants type-safe routing
TanStack Start's DX + growth ops in base tier.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheapest?
Open SaaS — free.
Which is most portable?
Makerkit or TanStack Ship — React-based, huge ecosystem.
Which has better AI?
Open SaaS free demo, or TanStack Ship AI Workspace.
Which for B2B?
Makerkit (deepest) or TanStack Ship (mid-depth, cheaper).
Which has UTM/MRR?
Only TanStack Ship.
Related Links
Ready to see TanStack Ship in action?
Ship a paid SaaS on TanStack Start with UTM attribution, MRR dashboards, and 14 growth modules built in — from $99.