Series · 4 parts
The SaaS Architecture Playbook
The core decisions behind a SaaS product, in the order you face them: the stack, the database, authentication, and how far a near-zero budget can take you.
- Best Tech Stack for Building a SaaS Application in 2026
The best tech stack for a SaaS application in 2026: React and Next.js, Laravel or Node.js, PostgreSQL, cloud infrastructure, authentication and AI layers.
- Best Database for SaaS Applications
Choosing a database for SaaS: SQL vs NoSQL, why PostgreSQL is the default, multi-tenancy models, vector databases for AI, and a hybrid architecture.
- Best Authentication Methods for SaaS Applications
The authentication methods every SaaS product needs: OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SSO, MFA, passkeys, JWT, RBAC and zero trust, plus mistakes to avoid.
- The Zero-Budget Stack: Architecting for the “Free Tier”
How to architect a production-ready stack on free tiers: static hosting, free PostgreSQL, avoiding cold starts and vendor lock-in, and why constraints help.