SaaS Starter Kit Review 2026: Prisma + Next.js Community Boilerplate

TL;DR

SaaS Starter Kit (by boxyhq) is a well-maintained open-source Next.js SaaS boilerplate with enterprise security features (SAML SSO, directory sync via BoxyHQ's SAML Jackson). Free tier covers most indie SaaS needs; enterprise features require BoxyHQ's paid SDK. Best for developers building security-conscious SaaS.

What You Get (Free)

Source: github.com/boxyhq/saas-starter-kit

Core features:

• Next.js 14 + TypeScript
• Auth: NextAuth + SAML SSO via BoxyHQ
• Directory Sync (SCIM) via BoxyHQ
• Payments: Stripe
• Email: Nodemailer
• Database: Prisma + PostgreSQL
• UI: Tailwind + daisyUI
• Multi-tenancy: Teams with roles
• API token management
• Audit logs

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The Security Focus

BoxyHQ's SaaS Starter Kit is unique for including enterprise authentication features that most boilerplates charge for:

// SAML SSO integration via BoxyHQ SAML Jackson
// This is the key differentiator

import jackson from '@boxyhq/saml-jackson';

const { apiController, oauthController } = await jackson({
  externalUrl: process.env.NEXTAUTH_URL!,
  samlAudience: 'https://saml.boxyhq.com',
  samlPath: '/api/oauth/saml',
  db: {
    engine: 'sql',
    type: 'postgres',
    url: process.env.DATABASE_URL!,
  },
});

// Configure SAML for a team
await apiController.config({
  encodedRawMetadata: samlMetadata,  // From identity provider
  defaultRedirectUrl: `${baseUrl}/auth/saml`,
  redirectUrl: `${baseUrl}/auth/saml`,
  tenant: teamId,
  product: 'saas-starter-kit',
});

SAML SSO is typically a $300+/year add-on (WorkOS, Auth0) or days of implementation work. BoxyHQ provides it as open source.

---

Team Management

// teams/invitations.ts
export const inviteMember = async (
  invitedBy: User,
  team: Team,
  params: { email: string; role: Role }
) => {
  const { email, role } = params;

  const invitation = await prisma.invitation.create({
    data: {
      email,
      role,
      teamId: team.id,
      invitedById: invitedBy.id,
      token: generateToken(),
      expiresAt: addDays(new Date(), 7),
    },
  });

  await sendTeamInvitation({ invitedBy, team, invitation });

  return invitation;
};

// Accept invitation
export const acceptInvitation = async (token: string, user: User) => {
  const invitation = await prisma.invitation.findFirst({
    where: { token, expiresAt: { gt: new Date() } },
    include: { team: true },
  });

  if (!invitation) throw new Error('Invitation expired or invalid');

  await prisma.teamMember.create({
    data: {
      teamId: invitation.teamId,
      userId: user.id,
      role: invitation.role,
    },
  });

  await prisma.invitation.delete({ where: { id: invitation.id } });
};

---

API Token Management

SaaS Starter Kit includes API token management out of the box:

// app/api/teams/[teamSlug]/api-keys/route.ts
export async function POST(req: Request, { params }) {
  const session = await getServerSession(authOptions);
  const team = await getTeam(params.teamSlug);

  const apiKey = await prisma.apiKey.create({
    data: {
      name: req.json().name,
      teamId: team.id,
      hashedKey: await hashApiKey(generateApiKey()),
      expiresAt: addDays(new Date(), 365),
    },
  });

  return Response.json(apiKey);
}

Building and rotating API keys for external developer access is a common B2B SaaS requirement that most boilerplates ignore.

---

Audit Logs

// Create audit log entry
await prisma.auditLog.create({
  data: {
    teamId,
    userId,
    action: 'member.invitation.sent',
    target: invitedEmail,
    metadata: { role, invitedBy: inviter.name },
  },
});

// Query audit logs for compliance
const logs = await prisma.auditLog.findMany({
  where: { teamId },
  orderBy: { createdAt: 'desc' },
  take: 100,
});

---

Limitations

• daisyUI components are less polished than shadcn/ui
• Less community documentation than ShipFast
• BoxyHQ's SAML features require hosting the SAML Jackson service
• Less actively marketed (smaller community)

---

Who Should Use SaaS Starter Kit

Good fit:

• Security-conscious B2B SaaS (SAML SSO, audit logs, API tokens)
• Teams that can't afford WorkOS or Auth0 but need enterprise auth
• Products targeting enterprise customers who require SSO
• Open-source-first developers

Bad fit:

• Consumer SaaS (enterprise auth is overkill)
• Teams who want the most polished UI
• Founders who want large community support

---

Final Verdict

Rating: 3.5/5

SaaS Starter Kit fills a specific niche: enterprise-grade authentication features at zero cost. The SAML SSO, directory sync, API tokens, and audit logs are enterprise requirements that paid alternatives (Bedrock at $1500) address for a much higher price. For security-conscious B2B products, this is exceptional value.

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Compare SaaS Starter Kit with other enterprise boilerplates on StarterPick.