Launch your SaaS MVP without spending a cent - discover the best free-tier tools for every part of your stack.
TL;DR: You can build and ship a working MVP today without paying for infrastructure, auth, analytics, or hosting - if you use the right free-tier tools. Here’s how.
Why Build with Free Tier Products?
Launching an MVP shouldn’t require a credit card.
In 2025, the number of powerful tools offering generous free tiers is higher than ever. Whether you’re a solo founder or a weekend hacker, it’s entirely possible to prototype and launch a usable product without spending a cent - if you choose your stack carefully.
This post walks through building a realistic example product using nothing but free-tier offerings: no tricks, no trials, no limited-time discounts.
Example Project: RemoteJobsBoard
We’ll build a basic web app where:
- Employers can post remote developer jobs
- Job seekers can browse/search listings
- Admin can moderate/approve posts
The goal? Prove out the concept and gather early interest without spending money.
The Free-Tier Tech Stack
| Layer | Tool | Why We Chose It |
|---|---|---|
| Frontend | Vercel / Netlify | Fast, easy CI/CD for static apps |
| Backend/API | Supabase / Firebase | Serverless functions + database + auth |
| Database | Supabase (Postgres) | Generous storage and row limits |
| Authentication | Supabase Auth / Clerk | Email + OAuth login, free user limit |
| Brevo / Resend (dev only) | Send confirmation/alerts with free credits | |
| Payments | Stripe | Fully featured test mode |
| Analytics | PostHog / Plausible (OSS) | Privacy-first, usable for free |
| Error Logging | Highlight.io / Sentry | Basic monitoring, alerts |
| Forms | Tally / Typeform | For contact/feedback collection |
| Monitoring | Cronitor / UptimeRobot | Free uptime checks |
Free Tier Tips & Warnings
Not all free tiers are created equal. Here’s how to stay sane:
Know Your Limits
Most free tiers have:
- Rate limits (e.g., 100,000 requests/month)
- Usage caps (e.g., 500MB storage, 100 users)
- Missing features (e.g., no team access, branding)
Track usage early so you don’t get surprised mid-launch.
Plan for Migration
Before investing too much time in a platform:
- Know what the paid plan costs
- Check for export/migration tools
- See if the API is open and documented
Lean on Open Source
Some tools (like PostHog or Plausible) have generous free tiers and can be self-hosted later. This gives you freedom and continuity.
Putting It All Together
Let’s say we’re using:
- Frontend: Astro + Netlify
- Backend & DB: Supabase
- Auth: Supabase Auth
- Email: Brevo (300 emails/day free)
- Analytics: PostHog
- Payments: Stripe in test mode
With just this stack, you can:
- Launch a working MVP
- Collect real users and feedback
- Validate your idea before spending money
Final Thoughts
You can go from idea to MVP for $0.
But free tiers come with trade-offs. Make sure they serve your current goals (speed, learning, validation), and have a plan for what happens when you succeed and need to scale.
And remember: constraints often lead to better products.