The Best Frameworks for Solo SaaS Builders: Navigating Laravel, Next.js, and Beyond

The Best Frameworks for Solo SaaS Builders: Navigating Laravel, Next.js, and Beyond

Written by Massa Medi

In the dynamic landscape of software today, there's a compelling argument to be made: it's never been easier to build a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product, especially if you're a solo developer. The tech world is bursting with robust frameworks, libraries, and tools specifically designed to streamline the journey from an idea to a deployed web application. But with this abundance of choices comes a new kind of challenge: which technology stack should you choose?

The Modern SaaS Builder’s Playground

Let’s begin by surveying today’s landscape. On the frontend, you'll encounter household names like React and Angular. Go further and you'll find innovative full-stack frameworks such as Next.js, Remix (soon merging closer with React Router), and even the emerging Analog.js—all within JavaScript territory. But we’re not limited to JavaScript: open-source gems like Laravel in the PHP world and Django in Python also vie for your attention.

Laravel, in particular, is worth mentioning—not just for teams, but especially for solo builders. Why? Because Laravel is almost legendary for how much it “just works” right out of the box. You get a powerful, fully-featured framework that doesn’t require you to cobble together a dozen separate solutions. Authentication, database handling, testing, and more are all included. Plus, with tools like Laravel Forge, deploying and managing your application becomes almost effortless.

This “batteries included” approach is not just convenient; it can save you—and your motivation—through those crucial early days of a SaaS project, particularly when you’re working on your own. Laravel's vibrant ecosystem means there’s always a package, tutorial, or community answer at your fingertips.

The Burden of Choice: What Should You Use?

Faced with so many options, you’ll inevitably ask: Which framework, language, or stack is the best? The short answer: It depends.

There’s no one-size-fits-all winner, but experience can guide us. My perspective is shaped by deep roots in the JavaScript ecosystem. I won’t recommend Ruby on Rails, simply because I don’t have much experience with it—it could very well be fantastic, but I can’t speak from firsthand knowledge. Instead, I’ll focus on the platforms I've used and loved: Laravel, Django, Next.js, Remix, and the major frontend JavaScript frameworks.

Here are some patterns I’ve observed:

Why Laravel Shines for Solo Projects

There’s a reason Laravel keeps coming up: it’s specifically designed to make development approachable and efficient, particularly for solo developers or small teams. Features like built-in ORM support (to make working with SQL databases easy), authentication and authorization, and comprehensive testing utilities all come bundled. You don’t need to wrestle with ten different tools; it’s all baked right in.

Laravel’s community and package ecosystem are active and generous. Whether you need to integrate social authentication, payments, or custom admin dashboards, someone’s already paved the way (and probably published a package and a blog post about it). Plus, with tailored services like Laravel Forge, deployment is quick and painless.

Still, I’m not blind to alternatives: perhaps Ruby on Rails has strengths that rival or even surpass Laravel’s. But, sticking to what I know: Laravel’s one-stop-shop approach is a massive productivity boost when you’re going solo.

The JavaScript Ecosystem: Power and Fragmentation

Over in JavaScript land, frameworks like Next.js have revolutionized how we build web applications. Despite a few pain points—annoyances that are likely to be ironed out as the framework matures—Next.js enables developers to craft full-stack React apps with server-side logic, built-in caching, and more.

That said, JavaScript comes with a caveat: dependency fragmentation. Next.js, for example, doesn’t include built-in authentication. Want user logins? You’ll need to add and configure another library, and pray it meshes well with the rest of your stack. Every new dependency introduces the risk of abandoned packages or annoying version mismatches. Suddenly, you’re not building your app—you’re managing compatibility puzzles.

In Laravel, it’s just one main dependency and everything evolves in concert. In JavaScript, your project is often a patchwork of independently maintained libraries, and if one stops evolving, you may be forced into tedious rewrites. Dealing with conflicting Node.js versions or subtle API changes quickly becomes a real hassle for solo devs.

AdonisJS: The Overlooked Laravel of JavaScript?

Enter AdonisJS: a full-featured framework, inspired by Laravel but built in JavaScript. On paper, this should be a match made in heaven for those seeking a Laravel-like experience in JS. AdonisJS is polished, well-maintained, and aspires to be that comprehensive solution the JavaScript world sometimes lacks.

Oddly, despite its promise, AdonisJS hasn’t caught fire in the broader developer community. It’s not exactly obscure, but its GitHub stars and community attention pale in comparison to, say, Next.js or even Laravel itself. This lack of widespread adoption means there aren’t as many tutorials or courses, and you likely won’t find it topping most “best-of” lists. Is it a chicken-and-egg problem—not enough audience because there’s not enough coverage, or vice versa? Still, if you’re building a SaaS project solo in JavaScript, AdonisJS might be worth a closer look.

The Takeaway: Match Stack to Vision and Skills

Ultimately, here’s the essential point: with today’s options, you should pick the technology that both matches your skill set and lets you focus on building your product, not endlessly assembling tools. If you want to maximize productivity and minimize “yak shaving,” a monolithic solution like Laravel (for PHP) or potentially AdonisJS (for JS) could be the fastest path to your MVP.

But the JavaScript ecosystem also has genuine strengths. Its component-based architectures and emphasis on reactive, seamless user experiences have changed web development forever. Frameworks like Next.js make it increasingly simple to merge backend power with rich frontend interactivity. For many, that’s reason enough to glue together best-of-breed packages, even if it means a little more setup.

So, look outside your comfort zone—but also, play to your strengths. If you’re a PHP developer, it makes sense to wonder why those JavaScript folks are orchestrating a dozen libraries when you can have everything in one package. If you’re in JS-land already, maybe it’s time to scan what Laravel or AdonisJS have to offer.

In the end, it’s about balancing productivity, power, and personal preference. The best tech is the one that lets you launch your SaaS product into the world—quickly, reliably, and with minimal pain.