Zero to SaaS vs ShipFast, Which One Actually Helps You Build a Real SaaS?

So, you're itching to launch your first SaaS? You've probably stumbled upon ShipFast and Zero to SaaS. Both promise to get you there faster, but they take drastically different routes. ShipFast is like getting a fully assembled car – a production-ready Next.js template with routing, auth, payments (Stripe included!), and a dashboard all wired up. It's tempting, especially seeing that pre-built landing page. Experienced devs can leverage ShipFast to quickly deploy a SaaS, bypassing the initial setup hurdles. But remember, you're essentially modifying someone else's architecture. Debugging can be a headache if you don't grasp the underlying code. While you gain initial velocity, you might miss out on core SaaS fundamentals.

Zero to SaaS, on the other hand, is more like learning to build the car yourself. It's a comprehensive program that guides beginners through creating a SaaS product from scratch using Next.js, Stripe, MongoDB, and Vercel. You'll build authentication, protected routes, subscriptions, dashboards, and even design your API. Sure, you'll be writing more code and encountering your own set of bugs. But here's the kicker: you'll *understand* every piece. You'll grasp real-world SaaS architecture and gain the confidence to tackle future projects. Think of it as an investment in your long-term skills, a foundation that empowers you to build anything you imagine. You might start slower, but the knowledge compounds, making you exponentially faster down the road.

Ultimately, the choice hinges on your experience level and goals. If you're a seasoned Next.js developer comfortable tweaking complex codebases and prioritizing speed, ShipFast could be your express lane. However, if you're a beginner or intermediate developer hungry to understand the nuts and bolts of SaaS development – authentication, billing, database models, dashboard logic – Zero to SaaS offers a structured path to mastery. Templates offer shortcuts, but skills compound. Zero to SaaS equips you with a bedrock that will pay dividends with every project you build.

📰 Original article: https://dev.to/thekarlesi/zero-to-saas-vs-shipfast-which-one-actually-helps-you-build-a-real-saas-3jng

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