Best Makerkit Alternatives in 2026
TheKitBase's Keel is the best Makerkit alternative for developers who want a polished, AI-native SaaS UI without adopting a specific backend stack. Makerkit is a full-stack boilerplate wired to Supabase or Firebase with billing and multi-tenancy; Keel is a design-first, AI-native product shell - streaming assistant, Cmd+K, onboarding, billing UI - that you connect to any backend, from $79 one-time.
Makerkit is a mature full-stack SaaS boilerplate: it wires Supabase or Firebase, auth, multi-tenancy, and Stripe billing into a working backend. That's powerful if you want those decisions made for you, and heavy if you don't. TheKitBase's Keel is the best Makerkit alternative when you want a polished, AI-native UI without committing to a backend stack - 13 designed surfaces with a streaming AI assistant and Cmd+K bar, from $79 one-time, connected to whatever backend you choose.
Quick comparison
| Feature | TheKitBase | Makerkit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $79 one-time (Keel) | ~$299+ one-time |
| Focus | AI-native UI, backend-agnostic | Full-stack, backend included |
| AI features | Streaming assistant, Cmd+K, insights | Examples |
| Backend | Bring your own | Supabase / Firebase wired |
| Learning curve | Low - it's a UI you customize | Higher - full-stack framework |
| Design polish | High - distinctive system | Functional |
TheKitBase
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- Keel is AI-native out of the box - a streaming assistant, Ask AI slide-over, and Cmd+K command bar, all keyless until you point them at Claude in one function
- Backend-agnostic - Makerkit commits you to Supabase or Firebase; Keel lets you wire any backend through a typed mock-data layer and documented seams
- Lower learning curve - Keel is a polished UI you customize, not a full-stack framework you have to learn end to end
- From $79 one-time with a clear license - no per-seat pricing and no backend lock-in
Other alternatives to consider
ShipFast
Indie SaaS boilerplate - ~$199-$299 one-time
Best for: Solo founders optimizing for the fastest path to a paid launch
Pros
- Fast to a paid product
- Stripe and auth wired
- Pragmatic and popular
Cons
- Functional over polished UI
- Less structured than Makerkit
- AI is an add-on
Supastarter
Supabase SaaS boilerplate - ~$299 one-time
Best for: Teams committed to Supabase who want orgs and billing wired
Pros
- Deep Supabase integration
- Team/org model included
- Type-safe
Cons
- Supabase-specific
- Less design-forward
- Opinionated backend
Open SaaS
Open-source full-stack starter (Wasp) - Free
Best for: Developers who want a free full-stack SaaS and will adopt Wasp
Pros
- Free and open source
- Auth, Stripe, and AI examples
- Full-stack included
Cons
- Built on Wasp, not plain Next.js
- Wasp conventions to learn
- Less polished UI
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Makerkit alternative for Next.js?
TheKitBase's Keel is the best Makerkit alternative for developers who want a polished, AI-native SaaS UI without committing to a backend stack. It ships 13 designed surfaces with a streaming AI assistant and Cmd+K command bar from $79 one-time, and connects to any backend through documented seams.
Makerkit vs TheKitBase - what's the difference?
Makerkit is a full-stack boilerplate: it wires Supabase or Firebase, auth, multi-tenancy, and billing for you. TheKitBase's Keel is a UI-first, AI-native product shell you connect to your own backend. Choose Makerkit for a wired backend on day one; choose Keel for design quality, AI UX, and backend freedom.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Makerkit?
Yes. Keel starts at $79 one-time versus roughly $299+ for Makerkit. If you specifically need a full backend wired for free, Open SaaS is an option - though it's built on the Wasp framework rather than plain Next.js.
Does TheKitBase include auth and billing like Makerkit?
TheKitBase's Keel includes the full auth and billing UI - login, signup, reset, onboarding, plans, usage, and invoices - with documented seams to wire your real auth provider and payment processor. Unlike Makerkit, it doesn't lock you into a specific backend; you connect the one you want.
Which is easier to learn, Makerkit or Keel?
Keel is generally quicker to get productive with because it's a polished UI you customize, not a full-stack framework you have to learn end to end. Makerkit is more powerful if you want its whole backend, but that power comes with a steeper learning curve.
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