Best Tools for Bootstrapped Startups in 2025
Every tool here is either free or earns its cost 10x over. This is the stack for founders who are capital-efficient by choice.
AI-powered code editor
VS Code fork with built-in AI. Understands your entire codebase and writes code in context.
Payments for indie hackers
The go-to Merchant of Record for indie hackers and small SaaS products. Simple setup, handles tax compliance, and great for digital products.
Open source product analytics
Self-hostable analytics, feature flags, session recordings, and A/B testing in one platform.
Email and SMS marketing
Email, SMS, and WhatsApp marketing in one platform. Generous free tier with no contact limits.
All-in-one workspace
Docs, databases, wikis, and project management in one tool. Highly flexible and extensible.
Design for everyone
Drag-and-drop design tool for non-designers. Thousands of templates for social, print, and web.
Async video messaging
Record your screen and face to communicate faster than meetings. Share videos instantly.
Open source Firebase alternative
Postgres database, auth, storage, and realtime subscriptions. Open source and self-hostable.
Frontend cloud platform
Deploy frontend apps instantly. Best-in-class DX for Next.js, React, and modern frameworks.
Privacy-friendly analytics
Simple, open-source web analytics. No cookies, GDPR compliant, and lightweight script.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest full SaaS stack?
Cursor (free tier) + Supabase (free) + Vercel (free) + Lemon Squeezy (no monthly fee) + PostHog (free) + Brevo (free) + Plausible ($9/mo) = ~$9/month to run a complete SaaS.
Should bootstrapped founders use no-code or code?
If you can code: use Cursor — it's now fast enough that coding beats no-code for custom products. If you can't code: Bubble or Webflow for the product, Zapier or Make for automation.
What is the best payment solution with no monthly fees?
Lemon Squeezy charges only a percentage of sales (no monthly fee). Stripe also has no monthly fee. Both are excellent for bootstrapped products with variable revenue.
Explore More Stacks
Build your own stack
Pick exactly the tools you use and share a link with your team.
Open Stack Builder →