SaaS MVP in 4 Weeks: From Idea to Launch

SaaS MVP in 4 Weeks: The Practical Guide

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the fastest way to validate your SaaS idea in the market. In this article, I show you how to develop a functional product in just 4 weeks.

The Optimal Tech Stack 2026

After over 20 SaaS projects, I recommend:

• Frontend: Next.js 15 with App Router
• Backend: Next.js API Routes or FastAPI
• Database: PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM
• Auth: NextAuth.js or Clerk
• Hosting: Vercel or Railway
• Payments: Stripe

Week 1: Foundation

In the first week, we lay the foundation:

1. Project setup with Next.js and TypeScript
2. Define database schema with Prisma
3. Implement authentication
4. Basic UI with Tailwind CSS

Week 2: Core Features

Focus on core functionality:

1. Implement main feature
2. Develop API endpoints
3. Database operations (CRUD)
4. Error handling

Week 3: Polish & Integration

Refinement and integrations:

1. Stripe payment integration
2. Email notifications
3. Dashboard and analytics
4. Responsive design

Week 4: Launch Preparation

Preparing for launch:

1. Testing and bug fixes
2. SEO optimization
3. Set up monitoring
4. Create documentation

Cost Overview

Typical monthly costs for an MVP:

• Vercel: $0-20 (Hobby to Pro)
• Database: $0-25 (Supabase/Neon)
• Domain: ~$12/year
• Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction

Conclusion

With the right stack and focused development, a SaaS MVP in 4 weeks is absolutely realistic. The key is to focus on core functionality and save everything else for later iterations.