Discover the top bootstrapped SaaS tools that help indie founders build and ship products faster with real examples from Built This Week podcast.
The game has changed for indie founders.
You don’t need a team or millions in funding to launch a SaaS product anymore. You just need the right tools that let you move fast without the overhead.
As a builder, you want tools that scale with your workflow, don’t break the bank, and actually get your product out the door.
That’s exactly what we focus on every week at Built This Week — showing you the bootstrapped SaaS tools that real founders use to ship real products quickly.
Here’s a list of the best bootstrapped SaaS tools that empower you to build smarter, faster, and with less friction.
What it replaces: Firebase, custom backend development
Supabase gives you an open-source backend featuring Postgres, real-time subscriptions, authentication, and storage.
Why we use it: It provides a full backend without needing complex server setups, letting you focus 80% more on product.
What it replaces: Manual deployments, DevOps complexity
Vercel simplifies deployments with instant serverless hosting and seamless Git integration.
Why we use it: On Built This Week, Sam and Jordan push updates live with one git commit — zero headaches, zero downtime.
What it replaces: Custom search and filtering logic
Jetboost adds real-time search, filtering, and dynamic content to your no-code projects without writing code.
Why we use it: It lets you quickly add powerful UX features and ship customer-facing updates fast.
What it replaces: Manual payment processing, complex billing systems
Stripe powers subscription billing, payments, and revenue management with an API-first approach.
Why we use it: It's reliable, easy to integrate, and scales with your SaaS business — a must-have for fast MVP launches.
What it replaces: Custom integration scripts
Zapier automates workflows by connecting your favorite apps without code.
Why we use it: It saves hours by automating repetitive tasks — freeing up time to focus on building features.
What it replaces: Complex design tools, separate handoff process
Figma streamlines design collaboration with vector editing, prototyping, and easy sharing.
Why we use it: Its simplicity and real-time collaboration make designing and iterating faster among solo or small teams.
Each week on the Built This Week podcast, we dive deep into these tools — sometimes spotlighting one tool as a crucial part of that week’s build.
You’ll hear honest reviews from Sam and Jordan about what worked, what broke, and how these tools fit into a lean build-in-public approach.
Our listeners get a raw, inside look at how indie founders ship bootstrapped SaaS products faster by using the right stack.
The best tools aren’t just about features. They’re about speed, reliability, and letting you focus on what matters: building value.
Bootstrapped SaaS founders win by reducing complexity and shipping often.
Built This Week proves that with the right toolkit, you spend less time fighting infrastructure and more time iterating.
The faster you ship, the faster you learn and grow.
🎧 Subscribe to Built This Week
If you want to hear how solo founders use bootstrapped SaaS tools to ship real products every week (no fluff, just honest builds), give Built This Week a listen.
Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you build your playlist.
Because bootstrapped SaaS founders don’t wait to build. They ship every week and learn fast.
