Are you building a SaaS or working on a SaaS project? If yes, you’ve probably been thinking about whether to use custom development or a pre-made website template.

When considering Next.js templates, popularity alone isn’t a solid reason to choose a technology. Next.js, built on top of React, has quickly become the standard framework for building full-stack applications, making it a top choice for many developers.

Its developer-friendly features are key reasons why it has gained so much popularity in the web development community. But is it the best choice for your project? In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using Next.js templates versus custom SaaS development, and when it’s best to pick each option.

What is a Next.js Template?
Who Can Benefit from a Next.js Template?
What is Custom SaaS Development?
Next.js Template vs. Custom Development
When to Choose a Next.js Template or Custom Development
useSAASkit: The Ultimate Next.js Template to Build Your SaaS
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Next.js Template?

A Next.js template is a pre-built codebase that helps you quickly build web apps using Next.js, which is a popular framework based on React.

These templates usually come with essential features already set up, such as authentication, multi-organization support, and admin tools. Common features include sign-up/login functionality, multi-org support, billing integration, and an admin dashboard.

Once you choose a template, setting it up is simple. You can clone the codebase and start working on your custom features right away. This helps you build your SaaS in days instead of months, saving you time and effort.

Who Can Benefit from a Next.js Template?

The question is, who should use Next.js templates for SaaS development? Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, Next.js templates can make a big difference for your SaaS launch. Below are the ones who can benefit:

Startups and Small Businesses: Next.js templates help startups and small businesses launch quickly without spending a lot of money. They can skip building basic features and focus on growing their product.
Development Teams: Development teams can save time using Next.js templates. They don't have to start from scratch and can focus on adding custom features.
Non-Technical Founders: Non-technical founders can use Next.js templates to launch their product without needing to code. They can hire a developer to customize it, saving time and money.
Established Enterprises: Enterprises can quickly create an MVP with Next.js templates. They can also integrate the templates with their existing systems to grow easily.
Agencies and Freelancers: Agencies and freelancers can use Next.js templates to deliver projects faster. It helps them save time and provide consistent, high-quality results for clients.

In short, Next.js templates benefit businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises, by helping them save time, reduce costs, and launch faster.

What is Custom SaaS Development?

Custom SaaS development means building a software solution that is specifically made to fit your business needs. It allows you to customize how the software works with other tools your company already uses, improving efficiency and productivity.

With custom SaaS, you have full control over everything – from the features to how it performs. In simple words, it's all about having the flexibility to create exactly what your business needs while staying aligned with your long-term goals. However, it requires careful planning, a solid budget, and time to make it happen.

Next.js Template vs. Custom Development

When deciding between using a Next.js template or custom development for your SaaS app, the initial planning phase is crucial. This is where you define the main goals and features of your project, and it will guide the entire development process.

Whether you choose a template or custom development, having a clear plan helps you stay focused and avoid wasting time on unnecessary features.

Below are some comparison points to help you decide which option is best for you:

1. Speed of Development

A Next.js template comes with pre-built components and features, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Major features like authentication, multi-org support, admin tools, and billing & subscription integration are already set up. You can quickly customize and implement the essential functionality.

With most of the basic structure already in place, the development process is faster, giving you a head start.

For example, the useSAASkit Next.js SaaS Supabase template comes with all these features, including AI-driven capabilities, allowing you to build your AI app in just days.

With custom development, you need to build the entire app from the ground up. Each feature, page, and functionality must be designed, coded, and tested, which takes significantly more time. The planning and design phases alone can add to the overall timeline, making it a longer process.

2. Choosing the Right Tech Stack

When deciding between a Next.js template or custom development, the tech stack is a key factor to consider. Developers often get stuck on questions like:

Which tech stack should I choose?
Will this stack scale well?
Is it easy to maintain in the long run?

With a Next.js template, the tech stack is already chosen for you. You don’t need to worry about picking the right tools or figuring out which libraries to use because they’re already integrated and tested. This can save you a lot of time and headaches, especially if you're not sure which tech stack is the best fit for your app.

On the other hand, with custom development, you’ll need to decide on everything – the frontend framework (Next.js, React, etc.), backend (Node.js, Python, Ruby, etc.), database, and even APIs. If you're not careful, choosing the wrong tech stack can cause problems with how your app works, slow performance, or make it harder to grow in the future.

3. Time to Market

Using a Next.js template helps SaaS startups launch faster. Many key features like authentication and UI are already built, so you can customize them quickly. This lets you start getting feedback from customers sooner and stay ahead of competitors.

Custom development takes longer because you’re building everything from scratch. Each feature needs to be designed, coded, and tested, which delays the launch. For a SaaS startup, speed is important, so custom development might slow you down if you need quick feedback.

4. Customization & Flexibility

When you use a Next.js template, you get a solid base to start building your app, but it might not be flexible enough for everything you need. You can make some changes, but you’re still working within a structure that’s already set up for general use.

But with a template, like our Next.js Supabase SaaS Template, you can easily adjust things like:

Next.js Template vs Custom SaaS Development: Which is Best?

Client Configuration: Modify the app’s name, change email logos, set up environment variables, and enable OAuth providers like Google or GitHub.
Server Configuration: Securely manage sensitive data like API keys and Stripe secrets.
Styling: Customize the look and feel with TailwindCSS, tweak colors, and adjust the design for light or dark modes.

On the other hand, custom development gives you total freedom. You can design everything from scratch—your features, your UI, and even how data is handled. Every part of your app can be fully customized to meet your needs.

5. Cost of Development

When you’re building a SaaS app, the cost is a big deal. Every founder wants to get their product up and running without breaking the bank. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing between a Next.js template and custom development:

A Next.js template is usually the more cost-effective option, especially if you’re just starting out. With a template, most of the basic functionality is already set up. You save a lot of time, which means you spend less money on development.

On the other hand, building everything from scratch with custom development is more expensive. You’ll have to hire developers, spend time on design, testing, and making sure everything works. The costs add up fast.

If you want complete control over every feature and a completely unique app, custom development is the way to go, but be prepared for a bigger budget.

6. Scalability & Growth

Scalability is key when building a SaaS app. A Next.js template can be a great choice because it gives you a solid foundation and can scale as your app grows. With our Next.js SaaS solution, you can easily customize and adjust your app to handle more traffic or add new features as needed.

Custom development gives you full control over your app’s design and architecture, so you can build it specifically to scale for the long term. It’s a good choice if you have more complex needs and want to plan for bigger growth from the start.

In short, Next.js templates are quick, flexible, and great for scaling as you grow. Custom development gives you full control and is perfect for more complex growth plans. Both options have their perks depending on what you need now and in the future.

7. Maintenance & Support

Using a Next.js SaaS template makes maintenance simple. It comes with pre-configured settings, security updates, and best practices, so you don’t have to worry about setting everything up from scratch. Plus, you get documentation and community support, making it easier to fix issues and keep your app running smoothly.

What developers like about templates:

Regular updates and security fixes.
Well-structured code that’s easy to manage.
Built-in best practices for performance and security.

With custom development, you have complete control, but that also means you’re responsible for maintaining everything—security, updates, bug fixes, and performance optimization. While this allows you to build exactly what you need, it requires more effort and a dedicated team to manage in the long run.

Both have their benefits—it just depends on what works best for your project!

8. Licensing & Ownership

When building a SaaS product, licensing and ownership are big factors. They decide who controls the code, how much flexibility you have, and whether you can sell or transfer your software in the future.

Using a Next.js template means you get a ready-to-use framework, but it also comes with some licensing terms.

You can customize and build on top of it, but the core structure is owned by the provider.
Some templates limit resale or redistribution, so you might not have full control.

Building from scratch gives you complete control over your software.

You own the entire codebase—no restrictions.
You can modify, sell, or license it however you like.
No limitations on future scalability or monetization.

It all depends on your business goals—both options have their strengths!

When to Choose a Next.js Template or Custom Development

Before deciding whether to use a Next.js template or go for custom development, it's important to understand that by choosing a Next.js template, you're already working with a powerful full-stack framework. Next.js is an excellent choice for SaaS applications, offering everything you need to build scalable, high-performance apps.

Next.js offers several key benefits for SaaS development. Its Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG) features improve load times, user experience, and SEO, helping your app rank higher. The built-in API routes allow you to create backend functionality without setting up a separate server, speeding up development.

When to Choose a Next.js Template

If you're a startup looking to launch your SaaS app quickly and start gaining customers and revenue, a Next.js template is a great option. It's cost-effective and perfect for getting your app up and running with basic functionality.

You want to launch quickly and start building your customer base.
You’re working on a limited budget and need a cost-effective solution.
You don’t need extensive custom features or advanced integrations.
You want to validate your business idea before investing too much in development.

When to Choose Custom Development

If your app needs highly specialized features, integrations, or a unique user experience, custom development allows you to tailor every aspect of your app to meet those needs.

Your app requires unique features or specific functionality.
You have long-term goals for growth and need a scalable architecture.
You want full control over the design, layout, and structure of your app.
You require specific integrations or a custom user experience.

In short, if you’re a startup, getting customers and early sales is more important than focusing on adding extra features. A Next.js template can be a great starting point, helping you launch quickly and start focusing on generating revenue.

useSAASkit: The Ultimate Next.js Template to Build Your SaaS

Now that you have a better understanding of when to choose a Next.js template or custom development, the next challenge is picking the right Next.js template for your SaaS.

That’s where useSAASkit comes in. It’s a powerful, customizable Next.js boilerplate built on Next.js, Supabase, Tailwind CSS, and Stripe.

With AI-driven features, you can build an AI app in days. Features like Authentication, multi-org, admin tools, billing & subscription, marketing pages, analytics, and AI make useSAASkit the complete package for SaaS founders looking to launch quickly.

We also offer a set of powerful, free SaaS tools that help with not just development, but also the business and marketing challenges that SaaS founders face, giving you practical solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best option for a SaaS startup: custom development or a template?

For a SaaS startup, if you're looking to launch quickly and on a budget, a Next.js template is a great option. It allows you to get your product to market faster and start generating revenue. You can always customize and scale as your business grows!

Can I build a fully functional SaaS with a Next.js template?

Yes, you can definitely build a fully functional SaaS in days with a Next.js template like useSAASkit. It provides all the essential features needed to build and launch your SaaS quickly.

What free SaaS tools does useSAASkit offer?

useSAASkit offers free tools like the SaaS Idea Validator, SaaS Name Generator, SaaS Pricing Generator, SaaS Content Generator, 150+ Places to Launch, Blog Topic Generator, and Blog Generator to help you build and grow your SaaS business.

Next.js Template vs Custom SaaS Development: Which is Best?

Table of Contents

What is a Next.js Template?

Who Can Benefit from a Next.js Template?

What is Custom SaaS Development?