Comparisons
Huskydev vs ShipFast: An Honest Comparison
By Huskydev · · Blog
ShipFast and Huskydev are both Next.js SaaS starters aimed at getting a product live fast, but they're built for different priorities: ShipFast is a proven, community-driven boilerplate with a large user base since 2023; Huskydev is a newer, more configurable starter built around stack choice and an optional NestJS backend. Here's how they actually compare, not just on marketing pages.
Where ShipFast genuinely wins
To be fair to ShipFast: it has a larger, longer-running community, a lower one-time entry price if you only ever need one project, and an optional bundled course (CodeFast) for founders who want to learn the stack, not just ship on it. If your project doesn't need a separate backend framework and you value community size over stack flexibility, ShipFast is a reasonable choice.
Where Huskydev's approach differs
Huskydev's core bet is that “one database, one ORM, no backend framework” doesn't fit every team. If you need a separated API — for a mobile app client, background workers, or stricter module boundaries — adding NestJS after the fact to a Next.js-only boilerplate means real rework. Huskydev makes that a setup-time choice instead of a migration.
Where they differ
| Aspect | Huskydev | ShipFast |
|---|---|---|
| Backend framework | Next.js solo, or Next.js + NestJS monorepo | Next.js only |
| Database options | PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Supabase | Supabase or MongoDB |
| ORM | Drizzle, Prisma, or TypeORM (your choice) | Not a user-selectable option |
| Package manager | pnpm, npm, yarn, or bun | Not offered as a selectable option |
| Language | TypeScript or JavaScript | Both JS and TS codebases included |
| Auth | Better Auth: sessions, OAuth, MFA, RBAC, SSO | Google OAuth, magic links |
| Billing | Stripe or Lemon Squeezy, verified webhooks | Stripe / Lemon Squeezy |
| Pricing | Yearly from $69, lifetime from $179 | One-time, $199–$299 |
| Community | — | 5,000+ member Discord, active since 2023 |
| Track record | Newer to market | Established, Product Hunt Maker of the Year 2023 founder |
FAQ
Is Huskydev a good ShipFast alternative?
If you need a NestJS backend option, a choice of three databases and three ORMs, or want to pick your own package manager, Huskydev covers that; ShipFast does not offer these as configurable options.
Does ShipFast support NestJS?
No — ShipFast is a Next.js-only boilerplate with no separate backend framework option.
Which is cheaper, Huskydev or ShipFast?
ShipFast is a one-time payment starting at $199. Huskydev's yearly plans start lower at $69, with lifetime plans from $179 — compare based on whether you want a subscription or one-time purchase.
Does Huskydev have a community like ShipFast's Discord?
Not at the same scale yet — ShipFast's Discord has an established, active community built up since 2023.
Can I choose my database with ShipFast?
ShipFast supports Supabase or MongoDB but doesn't offer ORM or package-manager choice the way Huskydev does.