For a first app, start from Supabase's Vite and React quickstart or the official Next.js with Supabase example. For a full SaaS with payments, use Open SaaS, which is actively maintained and ships AGENTS.md files for AI tools. Check the last commit date before you pick: some popular templates have not changed in about a year.
Starting from a known-good template means the AI builds on structure that works instead of inventing one. These are free, open-source starters, with the date of their latest changes so you do not pick one that has gone stale.
The 7 picks
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Free, officialVite + React + Supabase quickstart
Supabase's official quickstart: create a Vite and React app, add the Supabase client and read a table. It uses the publishable key and tells you to review row-level security before deploying. Add the rule never to put a service key in browser code.
Free, MIT licenceNext.js with Supabase
The official Next.js example with Supabase sign-in and shadcn components, created with create-next-app. Minimal: no billing or admin. Active in October 2026.
Free, MIT licenceOpen SaaS
A full SaaS starter with React, Node.js, Prisma, sign-in, Stripe or Polar payments, email, background jobs and shadcn UI. It ships AGENTS.md and skills for AI tools. Built on the Wasp framework, which you must learn. Very active.
Free, MIT licenceNext.js SaaS Starter
The official Next.js template with Postgres, Stripe and shadcn/ui, replacing the retired Subscription Payments Starter. Its last commit was in December 2025, so run an audit of its dependencies before you use it.
Free, MIT licenceMakerkit Lite
The free version of Makerkit's Next.js and Supabase SaaS kit, with sign-in and a basic database. Fewer features by design, and it needs Docker for the Supabase command-line tool.
Free, MIT licencecreate-t3-app
A command that scaffolds a typed Next.js app with optional tRPC, Prisma or Drizzle, NextAuth and Tailwind. Opinionated and harder for beginners, and its last commit was in December 2025.
Free, MIT licenceshadcn-admin
A free admin dashboard template built with shadcn/ui and Vite. It is interface only, with no backend or sign-in wired up. Last updated in June 2026.
Compare in a table
Show the full comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|
| Vite + React + Supabase quickstart | Simplest React plus Supabase start | Free, official |
| Next.js with Supabase | Next.js sign-in in minutes | Free, MIT licence |
| Open SaaS | Full SaaS with AI-ready files | Free, MIT licence |
| Next.js SaaS Starter | Minimal Next.js SaaS with Stripe | Free, MIT licence |
| Makerkit Lite | A taste of a paid SaaS kit | Free, MIT licence |
| create-t3-app | Type-safe full-stack Next.js | Free, MIT licence |
| shadcn-admin | Dashboard screens for internal tools | Free, MIT licence |
Get started this week
- Create the Vite and React quickstart and read one table from Supabase.
- Run npm audit and read the template's README before changing anything.
- Ask your AI tool to explain the folder structure before it adds a feature.
How to choose
- Choose the Supabase quickstart for a first project and Open SaaS only when you need payments and email.
- Check the date of the last commit and run npm audit before you build on a template.
- Read the template's AGENTS.md or README to learn its structure before you prompt an AI to change it.
- Replace every sample key and secret before you deploy.
Free plans change. Limits above were checked on 3 Nov 2026; confirm on each tool's pricing page before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free SaaS starter template?
Open SaaS is the most complete free option and is actively maintained. For a simpler start, use the official Next.js with Supabase example.
Is it better to start from a template than from an AI builder prompt?
A template gives the AI a proven structure and avoids invented conventions. An app builder is faster for a first look; a template is better when you plan to maintain the code.
Are these templates safe to use as they are?
They are good starting points, not finished security. Check dependencies, turn on row-level security, remove sample keys and review what the AI adds.
Do I need Stripe for a starter?
Not for a first app. Most templates work without payments, and in India Razorpay's test mode is the easier way to practise, since Stripe is invite-only for new Indian businesses.
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