Comparisons
The honest head-to-heads
When two good tools do the same job, the docs won't tell you which to pick. These will — who each is best for, the real watch-outs, and a verdict that takes a position.
- AI coding
Cursor vs Claude Code vs Aider
Cursor for most people who want an editor; Claude Code for agentic, multi-file, terminal-and-CI work; Aider if you want open source, full control, and to bring your own model.
Read the verdict → - Backend
Supabase vs Firebase vs Convex
Supabase if you want real Postgres and SQL, Convex if you want an end-to-end TypeScript reactive backend, Firebase mostly if you're already in Google's world or shipping a mobile app fast.
Read the verdict → - Hosting
Vercel vs Netlify vs Cloudflare Pages
Vercel if you're building on Next.js and want zero friction, Cloudflare if you care about cost and edge/global scale, Netlify if you want a solid framework-agnostic middle ground.
Read the verdict → - Payments
Stripe vs Lemon Squeezy vs Paddle
Stripe if you want control and don't mind owning tax compliance; a Merchant of Record (Lemon Squeezy for scrappy digital/SaaS, Paddle for scaling B2B SaaS) if you want to never think about global tax again.
Read the verdict → - Frameworks
Next.js vs Astro vs SvelteKit
Content site or marketing/blog: Astro. Full-stack SaaS app with the deepest ecosystem: Next.js. Interactive app where you want less code and less framework overhead: SvelteKit.
Read the verdict → - Styling
Tailwind vs plain CSS vs CSS-in-JS
Use Tailwind for almost everything — it's the default AI models write best, and modern plain CSS is the right call only when you want zero build tooling or fully own your design system.
Read the verdict → - Databases
Postgres vs SQLite vs MongoDB
Default to Postgres. Use SQLite when the data lives next to the app. Reach for MongoDB only when you have a real document-shaped problem and know why.
Read the verdict → - Email
Resend vs Postmark vs SendGrid
Building something new on a modern stack? Use Resend. Deliverability of transactional email is life-or-death? Postmark. Already deep in Twilio/enterprise procurement or need massive marketing sends? SendGrid.
Read the verdict → - Components
shadcn/ui vs MUI vs Chakra UI
In 2026, shadcn/ui is the default for new projects — you copy the components into your repo and own them. Reach for MUI when you need a vast pre-built enterprise catalog, and Chakra when you want a batteries-included component API without the theming ceremony.
Read the verdict → - Auth
Clerk vs Auth.js vs Better Auth
Clerk if you want to buy auth and ship today; Better Auth if you want to own your data without building everything from scratch; Auth.js if you're already on it or need the most battle-tested OAuth library.
Read the verdict →
Keep exploring
More of the library
- 383tools→Tools
Every tool, with an honest take on each.
- 8stacks→Stacks
Tool combinations that work together.
- 22recipes→Recipes
How to build the thing you keep needing.
- 12guides→Guides
The craft of building with AI.
- 6paths→Learning paths
An ordered route through the library.
- 40prompts→Prompts
Reusable prompts worth stealing.
- 10ideas→Build ideas
Project blueprints with a stack to match.
- 52terms→Glossary
Plain-language words for what AI writes.
- 10notes→What's new
The shifts worth knowing about.