SaaS stacks
Google Analytics alternatives: PostHog vs Plausible vs Umami (2026)
The three best open-source Google Analytics alternatives in 2026, compared by license, self-host cost, and deploy path.
8 min read71
Tag
#2026
24 posts tagged.
SaaS stacks
Convex vs Supabase vs Firebase: the Next.js backend call (2026)
Convex, Supabase, and Firebase are three different bets on your data model and how much you own. A sourced 2026 comparison of free tiers, real costs, lock-in, and which backend fits your Next.js build.
7 min read76
SaaS stacks
Payload vs Sanity vs Contentful: the headless CMS call for a Next.js SaaS (2026)
Payload, Sanity, and Contentful all run a Next.js SaaS, but they own very different amounts of your content backend. A 2026 decision guide on license, cost, and lock-in.
7 min read57
SaaS stacks
Vercel vs Railway vs Render: Deploy Next.js in 2026
Vercel, Railway, and Render all deploy Next.js, but they own different amounts of your backend. A 2026 decision guide with real costs, free-tier traps, and a self-host escape hatch.
11 min read73
SaaS stacks
Best open-source Next.js SaaS + AI starters (2026 scorecard)
A hands-on July 2026 scorecard of ten open-source and source-available Next.js SaaS and AI starters, ranked across six axes with real GitHub stars and exact licenses.
12 min read114
SaaS stacks
Convex review (July 2026): the self-hostable reactive backend starter for Next.js
A hands-on July 2026 review of Convex, the reactive backend and database for Next.js: five deploy paths, real free-tier cost math, the FSL license fine print, and where it loses to Supabase and Neon.
10 min read106
AI workflows
Inngest v1.34 review (June 2026): hands-on with the open-source workflow starter for Next.js
ShipGarden's hands-on June 2026 review of Inngest v1.34 (v1.34.0 stable shipped June 29, JavaScript SDK v4.11.0 on npm) as the open-source durable-execution platform for Next.js apps. Five deploy paths, real cost-per-10k-executions math, an honest compare-side against Trigger.dev v4, the SSPL license question, and where v1.34 still bites.
11 min read91
SaaS stacks
Refine v5 review (June 2026): hands-on with the open-source React admin starter for Next.js
ShipGarden's hands-on June 2026 review of Refine v5 (@refinedev/core@5.0.12) as the open-source React framework for an admin or internal-tool starter. Five deploy paths, real per-month costs, an honest react-admin / Appsmith / ToolJet comparison, and the v4-to-v5 migration story you should plan for.
13 min read125
SaaS stacks
Trigger.dev v4 review (June 2026): hands-on with the open-source background-jobs starter for Next.js
ShipGarden's hands-on June 2026 review of Trigger.dev v4 (v4.4.6 stable, v4.5.0-rc.7 in flight) as the open-source background-jobs platform for Next.js apps. Five deploy paths, real cost-per-10k-runs math, an honest read against Inngest and Convex, and where v4 still bites.
12 min read449
SaaS stacks
Medusa.js 2.0 review (June 2026): hands-on with the open-source headless commerce starter
ShipGarden's hands-on June 2026 review of Medusa.js v2 (v2.17.1) as the open-source headless commerce backend for Next.js. Five deploy paths, real cost-per-100-orders numbers, payments via Stripe Paddle and Polar.sh, and the v1-to-v2 migration story you don't want to volunteer for.
13 min read85
AI app boilerplates
LlamaIndex.TS RAG Starter Review: Still Usable in June 2026, but the Project Is Deprecated
Hands-on June 2026 review of the LlamaIndex.TS RAG starter for Next.js. The starter still works, the project is officially deprecated, and the deploy-paths matrix below has three options that still ship. Honest cost numbers, vector store picks, and what to point a fresh codebase at instead.
10 min read113
AI app stacks
CopilotKit review: the open-source agent UI for Next.js (2026)
ShipGarden's hands-on review of CopilotKit as a Next.js agent UI in June 2026. The setup walkthrough, the four comparison axes, three deploy paths, and where it loses to Vercel ai-chatbot and Mastra.
10 min read93