Advice needed: Best low-cost tech stack for a SaaS MVP (Frontend-heavy solo dev)

Hey everyone, I recently landed a freelance gig to build out a complete SaaS platform from scratch. The client is incredibly generous and is treating this as an opportunity for me to learn and implement things as we proceed with development. I want to make sure I choose the right architecture from day one. I can't reveal the exact idea, but it functions as a two-sided platform connecting service providers with end-users. I need to pick a tech stack that plays to my strengths while keeping infrastructure costs as close to zero as possible. Here is my profile and the project constraints: - My Background: I am a frontend-heavy developer. My backend knowledge is only "okay-ish," so I’m looking for a stack that minimizes complex backend boilerplate and dev-ops headaches. - Timeline: I have 4 to 5 months maximum to build and fully deploy the MVP. - Strict Budget: The monthly budget for deployment, database, and any necessary transactional emailing cannot exceed $40/month for the MVP phase. - Expected Scale: To start, the web app needs to comfortably sustain 100 service providers and roughly 1,000 active users. - Payments and subscription : Stripe - Team Size: It's just me (Solo dev). Based on current trends, I've been leaning toward a meta-framework (like Next.js) paired with a BaaS (like Supabase or Firebase), but I’d love to hear from folks who have recently shipped something similar. Questions for the community: What specific tech stack would you recommend that allows a frontend dev to move fast without getting bogged down in backend setup? - Are there specific databases, ORMs, or auth providers you'd suggest that will confidently keep me under that $40/month limit for my expected user count? - Any hosting or deployment "gotchas" I should watch out for when launching a two-sided platform on a shoestring budget? Appreciate any guidance you can share! Note : Used AI for articulation. submitted by /u/chutneypow [link] [留言]