I'm planning to create a modern web app and want some solid advice on the tech stack and tools to use. While I'm keeping the specifics of the product idea private, I have defined some high-level requirements. The app should be responsive for both desktop and mobile, include user authentication, support form-heavy workflows, allow for data storage and exports (like PDFs or emails), have an admin-style dashboard, and be scalable from MVP to production. I'm looking for guidance on the best approaches for the frontend framework (like React, Next.js, or Vue), backend strategies (API routes, serverless, or traditional methods), database choices, hosting and deployment options, ideal IDEs/editors, and any AI tools that have proven useful in real projects (such as ChatGPT or Copilot). Also, I'd like to hear thoughts on whether a no-code, low-code, or full-code approach would be preferable for the MVP. If you were starting fresh today, how would you tackle building something like this? Any insights from real-world experience would be greatly appreciated, especially things you'd do differently after launching!
6 Answers
I recommend sticking with technologies you know. It speeds things up since you can fail fast and put more focus into user-centric features. Users aren't really concerned with what tech you're using, although as a tech enthusiast, I totally get the struggle!
I've dabbled a bit with Blazor and Phoenix, and I wish I could use them for a full project. Aside from those, NestJS with OpenAPI generators for requests and Nuxt is also a pretty solid combo.
For a solid setup, I’d go with something more traditional. Consider using backend frameworks like Django or Laravel, as they provide a lot of built-in features such as user authentication and task handling. For the frontend, using something like Vite paired with your favorite library works well. If you find it's lacking later on, migrating is usually manageable.
PHP might be a good way to go, especially with frameworks like Laravel.
We're in 2026 - just kidding! But seriously, don’t overthink it; go with what you know and keep it practical.
I'd suggest using React along with Supabase for your database and Cursor for coding assistance, all hosted on a budget-friendly Hetzner VPS. People may trash Supabase, but I think it’s great for quickly moving from concept to MVP!
Totally agree! Supabase has its quirks, but it gets the job done efficiently when getting a product off the ground.