Why Your Tech Stack Choice is Critical for Startup Success
Choosing the right technology stack is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a startup founder. The wrong choice can lead to:
- Slow development: Wasting months on a tech stack that doesn't fit your needs
- Scalability issues: Your app crashes when you get traction (the worst time to fail)
- High costs: Expensive infrastructure and developer salaries eating into runway
- Difficulty hiring: Can't find developers for outdated or niche technologies
- Technical debt: Forced to rebuild from scratch after 1-2 years
On the flip side, the right tech stack enables rapid development, easy scaling, cost efficiency, and access to talent pools. Companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Netflix didn't succeed despite their tech choices—they succeeded partly because of smart technology decisions.
Key Factors to Consider:
Product Requirements: What features do you need? Real-time updates? Complex calculations? Heavy media processing?
Scalability Needs: Expecting 100 users or 100 million users? Different scales need different architectures.
Development Speed: Need to launch MVP in 2 months? Choose proven, well-documented technologies.
Budget Constraints: Limited funding? Optimize for cost-effective infrastructure and developer availability.
Team Expertise: Use technologies your founding team knows, or can learn quickly.
This guide walks you through every major technology decision, comparing popular options, costs, and use cases. By the end, you'll know exactly what tech stack fits your startup's needs.
Frontend Frameworks: React vs Angular vs Vue.js
Your frontend framework determines user experience, development speed, and long-term maintainability. Here's the definitive comparison:
| Feature | React | Angular | Vue.js |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintained By | Facebook (Meta) | Evan You + Community | |
| Type | Library (flexible) | Full framework (opinionated) | Progressive framework |
| Learning Curve | Medium (JSX syntax) | Steep (TypeScript, RxJS) | Easy (gentle slope) |
| Performance | Excellent (Virtual DOM) | Good (can be heavy) | Excellent (lightweight) |
| Community Size | Largest (220k+ stars) | Large (94k+ stars) | Growing (210k+ stars) |
| Job Market | Highest demand | Good (enterprise) | Growing demand |
| Developer Cost | ₹30-80k/month | ₹40-90k/month | ₹25-70k/month |
| Best For | SPAs, complex UIs, large apps | Enterprise apps, large teams | Small-medium apps, rapid development |
| Mobile (React Native/etc) | React Native (excellent) | Ionic (good) | Weex/Ionic (limited) |
| SEO (SSR) | Next.js (excellent) | Angular Universal (good) | Nuxt.js (excellent) |
| Popular Apps | Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Airbnb | Gmail, Google Drive, Forbes | Alibaba, Xiaomi, Grammarly |
Our Recommendation:
Choose React for Most Startups
React dominates the startup ecosystem for good reasons: massive talent pool (easy hiring), component reusability (faster development), React Native for mobile apps (code sharing), Next.js for SEO-friendly apps, and battle-tested by giants like Facebook, Netflix, and Airbnb.
Use Angular if: You're building complex enterprise applications with large teams that need strict structure and TypeScript enforcement.
Use Vue if: You have a small team, need rapid prototyping, or are transitioning from jQuery/vanilla JS. Great for startups on tight budgets.
Backend Technologies: Node.js vs Python (Django/Flask) vs Ruby on Rails
Your backend handles business logic, databases, APIs, and scalability. Choose wisely:
| Feature | Node.js (Express) | Python (Django) | Ruby on Rails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript | Python | Ruby |
| Performance | Excellent (non-blocking I/O) | Good (slower than Node) | Moderate (slowest) |
| Scalability | Excellent (async nature) | Good (with optimization) | Good (requires effort) |
| Learning Curve | Medium (async concepts) | Easy (readable syntax) | Medium (conventions) |
| Development Speed | Fast (if experienced) | Very fast (batteries included) | Very fast (convention over configuration) |
| Package Ecosystem | Largest (npm) | Excellent (PyPI) | Good (RubyGems) |
| Developer Cost | ₹35-90k/month | ₹40-1,00k/month | ₹45-1,10k/month |
| Best For | Real-time apps, APIs, microservices | Data science, ML, complex logic | MVPs, rapid prototyping |
| Use Cases | Chat apps, streaming, SPAs | AI/ML apps, data analysis, APIs | E-commerce, content platforms |
| Popular Startups | Uber, LinkedIn, Netflix, PayPal | Instagram, Pinterest, Spotify, Dropbox | Shopify, GitHub, Airbnb, Basecamp |
Detailed Analysis:
Node.js: The Full-Stack JavaScript Choice
Pros:
- Same language (JavaScript) for frontend and backend—faster development, easier code sharing
- Non-blocking I/O makes it perfect for real-time applications (chat, live updates, streaming)
- Huge NPM ecosystem with 1.8 million+ packages
- Excellent for microservices architecture
- Large talent pool—every frontend dev knows JavaScript
Cons:
- Not ideal for CPU-intensive tasks (heavy calculations, video processing)
- Callback hell and async complexity for beginners
- Less mature for enterprise compared to Java/.NET
Python (Django/Flask): The Data Science Stack
Pros:
- Best choice if your product involves AI/ML, data analysis, or scientific computing
- Clean, readable syntax—easiest language for beginners
- Django includes everything (batteries-included): ORM, admin panel, authentication, forms
- Flask offers flexibility for microservices
- Excellent for building MVPs quickly
Cons:
- Slower than Node.js for I/O-heavy operations
- GIL (Global Interpreter Lock) limits true multi-threading
- Hosting costs slightly higher than Node.js
Ruby on Rails: The Rapid Prototyping King
Pros:
- "Convention over configuration" means fastest MVP development
- Mature framework with solutions for common problems
- Great developer experience with magical features
- Strong startup history (Shopify, GitHub, Airbnb started with Rails)
Cons:
- Declining popularity—harder to find developers
- Performance issues at scale (though solvable)
- Higher developer costs compared to Node/Python
- Not ideal for real-time or high-performance apps
FAcode Recommendation:
Node.js for most startups: Especially if you're using React frontend (full-stack JavaScript), building real-time features, or need excellent scalability. Cost-effective hiring and deployment.
Python if: Your product involves AI/ML, data science, complex algorithms, or you have Python expertise in your team.
Ruby on Rails if: You need to build an MVP extremely fast (2-4 weeks) and aren't concerned about long-term performance at massive scale.
Database Selection: PostgreSQL vs MongoDB vs MySQL
Your database choice impacts data integrity, query performance, and scalability. Here's the breakdown:
| Feature | PostgreSQL | MongoDB | MySQL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Relational (SQL) | Document (NoSQL) | Relational (SQL) |
| Performance | Excellent (complex queries) | Excellent (reads/writes) | Very Good |
| Scalability | Vertical + Horizontal | Excellent (horizontal) | Mostly vertical |
| Data Structure | Fixed schema (tables) | Flexible (JSON-like) | Fixed schema (tables) |
| ACID Compliance | Yes (full) | Yes (since v4.0) | Yes |
| Learning Curve | Medium (SQL + advanced features) | Easy (JSON-like) | Easy (standard SQL) |
| Best For | Complex queries, data integrity critical | Rapid development, flexible schema | Simple apps, WordPress, legacy |
| JSON Support | Excellent (JSONB) | Native | Basic |
| Hosting Cost | ₹1,000-₹10,000/month | ₹1,500-₹15,000/month | ₹500-₹8,000/month |
| Popular Apps | Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, Uber | Uber, Forbes, eBay, The Guardian | Facebook, Twitter (early), WordPress |
When to Choose Each Database:
Choose PostgreSQL If:
- You need complex joins, relationships, and data integrity (e-commerce, fintech, SaaS)
- Your data structure is well-defined and won't change frequently
- You require advanced features (full-text search, geospatial data, custom types)
- Data consistency is critical (financial transactions, healthcare records)
- You want the best of both worlds (SQL + JSON support via JSONB)
Choose MongoDB If:
- Your data structure is flexible and evolving (early-stage startups)
- You need rapid prototyping without schema migrations
- You're working with hierarchical/nested data (product catalogs, user profiles)
- Horizontal scaling is a priority (millions of documents)
- Your team is more comfortable with JavaScript than SQL
Choose MySQL If:
- You're building a simple web app or WordPress site
- Your team already has MySQL expertise
- You need the most affordable hosting (shared hosting supports MySQL)
- You're migrating from an existing MySQL database
- Read-heavy workloads with simpler queries
FAcode's Top Pick: PostgreSQL
For 80% of startups, PostgreSQL is the best choice. It offers SQL reliability with NoSQL flexibility (JSONB), excellent performance, advanced features, and strong community support. It's the database that scales with you from MVP to millions of users. Use MongoDB only if you have specific schema flexibility requirements or your team strongly prefers document databases.
Cloud Hosting: AWS vs Google Cloud vs Azure vs DigitalOcean
Your hosting provider determines uptime, performance, scalability, and costs. Here's the comparison:
| Feature | AWS | Google Cloud | Azure | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Leader | Yes (33% share) | No (10% share) | No (21% share) | No (niche player) |
| Services Count | 200+ services | 100+ services | 200+ services | ~20 core services |
| Learning Curve | Steep (complex) | Medium | Medium-Steep | Easy (simplest) |
| Pricing | Complex (pay-per-use) | Competitive (slightly cheaper) | Similar to AWS | Simple (fixed monthly) |
| Startup Cost | ₹3,000-₹15,000/mo | ₹2,500-₹12,000/mo | ₹3,000-₹15,000/mo | ₹1,000-₹5,000/mo |
| Free Tier | 12 months (generous) | 90 days + $300 credit | 12 months + $200 credit | $200 credit (60 days) |
| Best For | Enterprise, large-scale apps | AI/ML, data analytics, Kubernetes | Microsoft stack, enterprise | Startups, simple deployments, SMBs |
| Scalability | Infinite (best) | Excellent | Excellent | Good (limited to VPS) |
| Support Quality | Excellent (paid tiers) | Good | Good | Community + paid |
| Documentation | Comprehensive (can be overwhelming) | Good | Good (MS-focused) | Excellent (beginner-friendly) |
Recommendation by Startup Stage:
Early Stage (MVP, 0-1,000 users): DigitalOcean
Cost: ₹1,000-₹3,000/month ($12-$40/month)
DigitalOcean offers simplicity, predictable pricing, and excellent documentation. Perfect for bootstrapped startups focused on building product, not managing infrastructure. One-click deployments for Node.js, Django, WordPress. Upgrade to AWS/GCP when you hit scale challenges (10,000+ users).
Growth Stage (10,000-1M users): AWS or Google Cloud
Cost: ₹10,000-₹1,00,000/month ($130-$1,300/month)
AWS: Industry standard, largest ecosystem, best for general-purpose apps. Use if hiring DevOps engineers (AWS experience most common).
Google Cloud: Better pricing for compute, excellent for AI/ML workloads, superior Kubernetes support. Use if data science/ML is core to your product.
Enterprise Stage (1M+ users): AWS
Cost: ₹1,00,000-₹10,00,000+/month ($1,300-$13,000+/month)
AWS wins at scale due to: most services (future-proofing), largest compliance certifications, best enterprise support, proven by giants (Netflix, Airbnb, Amazon). Worth the complexity when reliability and scalability are mission-critical.
Microsoft Stack (.NET, Windows): Azure
If you're using .NET, C#, or Windows-based infrastructure, Azure offers best integration, superior support, and cost benefits through bundled licensing. Otherwise, AWS or GCP are better choices.
Mobile Development: Native vs Flutter vs React Native
For complete mobile app comparison, see our detailed Mobile App Development Cost Guide. Here's the quick summary:
Quick Comparison:
- Native (Swift/Kotlin): Best performance, access to latest features, highest cost (₹4-6L for both platforms). Use for performance-critical apps (games, AR/VR).
- Flutter: Excellent performance, beautiful UIs, 90% code sharing, cost-effective (₹2-3L). Best for most startups. Growing rapidly.
- React Native: Good performance, leverages React knowledge, 85% code sharing (₹2.5-4L). Best if you have React web developers.
FAcode Recommendation for Startups:
Flutter for 80% of startups: Best balance of cost, performance, and development speed. If you already have React developers, go React Native. Reserve native development for specific high-performance requirements.
Recommended Tech Stacks by Startup Type
SaaS Platform (B2B/B2C Software)
Examples: Project management, CRM, analytics, collaboration tools
Recommended Stack:
- Frontend: React + Next.js (SEO, fast performance)
- Backend: Node.js + Express (scalable APIs)
- Database: PostgreSQL (complex queries, data integrity)
- Hosting: AWS or Google Cloud (scalability)
- Mobile: Flutter or React Native (if needed)
- Cost: ₹5-15 lakhs development + ₹10-50k/month infrastructure
E-commerce Platform
Examples: Online store, marketplace, D2C brand
Recommended Stack (Rapid Launch):
- Platform: Shopify (fastest) or WooCommerce (flexible)
- Payment: Razorpay (India) or Stripe (International)
- Hosting: Included (Shopify) or DigitalOcean (WooCommerce)
- Cost: ₹20k-2L setup + ₹2-10k/month
Custom E-commerce Stack (Unique Requirements):
- Frontend: React + Next.js
- Backend: Node.js or Python Django
- Database: PostgreSQL + Redis (caching)
- Hosting: AWS
- Cost: ₹5-20 lakhs development + ₹15-80k/month
Marketplace (Multi-Vendor Platform)
Examples: Uber-like, Airbnb-like, freelance marketplace, food delivery
Recommended Stack:
- Frontend: React (web) + Flutter (mobile apps for customers & vendors)
- Backend: Node.js microservices architecture
- Database: PostgreSQL (relational data) + MongoDB (flexible user data)
- Real-time: Socket.io (live tracking, notifications)
- Hosting: AWS with auto-scaling
- Cost: ₹15-40 lakhs development + ₹30k-2L/month
Fintech / Payment Platform
Examples: Digital wallets, lending, investment platforms, payment gateways
Recommended Stack:
- Frontend: React + Next.js
- Backend: Node.js or Python (secure, well-tested frameworks)
- Database: PostgreSQL (ACID compliance critical)
- Security: Multi-factor authentication, encryption, PCI-DSS compliance
- Hosting: AWS with highest security configurations
- Mobile: Native (iOS + Android) for best security
- Cost: ₹20-50 lakhs development + ₹50k-3L/month (high compliance costs)
Social Media / Community Platform
Examples: Social network, forum, content platform, dating app
Recommended Stack:
- Frontend: React (responsive, dynamic)
- Backend: Node.js (real-time capabilities)
- Database: MongoDB (flexible user profiles) + PostgreSQL (structured data)
- Real-time: Socket.io or Firebase (chat, notifications)
- Media Storage: AWS S3 or Cloudinary
- Mobile: React Native (code sharing with web)
- Cost: ₹8-25 lakhs development + ₹20k-1L/month
AI/ML Product
Examples: Recommendation engine, chatbots, image recognition, predictive analytics
Recommended Stack:
- Frontend: React
- Backend: Python (Django/Flask) with TensorFlow/PyTorch
- Database: PostgreSQL + vector database (Pinecone, Weaviate)
- ML Infrastructure: Google Cloud (AI/ML services) or AWS SageMaker
- APIs: OpenAI, Hugging Face for pre-trained models
- Cost: ₹10-35 lakhs development + ₹25k-2L/month (GPU compute expensive)
Cost Implications of Technology Choices
Your tech stack directly impacts development and operational costs. Here's the breakdown:
Development Cost Comparison:
India Developer Salaries (per month):
- React Developer: ₹30,000-₹80,000 (high availability)
- Angular Developer: ₹35,000-₹90,000
- Vue.js Developer: ₹25,000-₹70,000 (growing)
- Node.js Developer: ₹35,000-₹90,000
- Python Developer: ₹40,000-₹1,00,000
- Ruby Developer: ₹45,000-₹1,10,000 (limited availability)
- Flutter Developer: ₹30,000-₹80,000
- React Native Developer: ₹35,000-₹85,000
- iOS Developer: ₹40,000-₹1,00,000
- Android Developer: ₹35,000-₹90,000
- DevOps Engineer: ₹50,000-₹1,20,000
- Full-Stack Developer: ₹45,000-₹1,10,000
Infrastructure Costs (Monthly):
- MVP (1,000 users): ₹1,000-₹5,000/month (DigitalOcean droplet, basic database)
- Growing (10,000 users): ₹5,000-₹20,000/month (AWS/GCP with load balancing)
- Scale (100,000 users): ₹20,000-₹80,000/month (auto-scaling, CDN, managed databases)
- Enterprise (1M+ users): ₹80,000-₹5,00,000+/month (multi-region, high availability)
Cost Optimization Tips:
- Use serverless architecture (AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions) to pay only for actual usage
- Implement caching (Redis, CDN) to reduce database queries and server load by 60-80%
- Choose reserved instances (1-year commitment) for 40-60% savings on AWS/GCP
- Optimize images and assets (reduce bandwidth costs by 50-70%)
- Monitor and kill unused resources (saves 20-30% on average)
Scalability Considerations for Startups
Your tech stack must grow with your user base. Here's what to consider:
1. Horizontal vs Vertical Scaling
Vertical Scaling: Upgrade server (more CPU, RAM). Cheaper initially but hits limits ($50k servers max out).
Horizontal Scaling: Add more servers. More complex but infinitely scalable (how Netflix handles millions).
Best Approach: Design for horizontal scaling from day one. Use stateless architecture, distributed databases, load balancers.
2. Database Scalability
- Read Replicas: Create database copies for read operations (reduces main DB load by 70%)
- Sharding: Split database across servers based on user ID, geography (Instagram uses this)
- Caching: Redis/Memcached caches frequent queries (80% traffic handled by cache)
- NoSQL: MongoDB scales horizontally better than traditional SQL (good for huge datasets)
3. CDN for Global Performance
Content Delivery Networks (Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront) cache your content in 200+ locations worldwide. Benefits: 60-80% faster page loads globally, reduced server load by 50-70%, DDoS protection. Cost: ₹500-₹5,000/month for startups.
4. Microservices vs Monolith
Monolith (Recommended for MVP): Single codebase, faster development, easier debugging. Good until 10-50k users.
Microservices (For Scale): Split into independent services (auth, payments, notifications). Each scales independently. More complex but required for millions of users.
Strategy: Start monolith, migrate to microservices when hitting scaling issues (Uber, Netflix did this).
Developer Availability & Hiring Costs
Can you actually find developers for your chosen tech stack? Here's the reality:
Developer Availability in India (2025):
- Most Available: React, Node.js, Python, Flutter, Angular (hundreds of thousands of developers)
- Growing Fast: Next.js, TypeScript, Flutter, Rust (demand exceeding supply, rising salaries)
- Declining: Ruby on Rails, jQuery, PHP (harder to find, mostly senior devs)
- Niche/Expensive: Scala, Elixir, Golang (great tech but limited talent pool)
Hiring Timeline Expectations:
React/Node.js Developer: 2-4 weeks to hire (high availability)
Python/Flutter Developer: 3-6 weeks (good availability)
Ruby/Scala Developer: 2-4 months (limited pool, competitive offers needed)
Full-Stack Developer: 4-8 weeks (high demand)
Outsourcing vs In-House Hiring:
Outsource to Development Agency (Like FAcode) If:
- You're building an MVP or early version (faster, lower risk)
- You don't have technical co-founder
- You want to validate idea before committing to full-time salaries
- You need multi-disciplinary team (designers, developers, QA) immediately
Hire In-House Developers When:
- You've validated product-market fit and have funding
- You need dedicated team fully focused on your product vision
- You're building for long-term (3+ years) and can manage hiring/retention
- Your technology is core competitive advantage
Popular Startup Tech Stacks: Real-World Examples
Airbnb's Tech Stack
Frontend: React
Backend: Ruby on Rails (initially), migrating to Node.js
Database: MySQL, PostgreSQL
Hosting: AWS
Mobile: React Native
Lesson: Started with Rails for rapid development, scaled by adding Node.js microservices for performance-critical sections.
Uber's Tech Stack
Frontend: React
Backend: Node.js, Python, Go (microservices)
Database: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Cassandra
Hosting: AWS
Mobile: Native (Swift, Kotlin)
Lesson: Started monolith, evolved to microservices. Uses best tool for each job (Go for performance, Python for ML).
Netflix's Tech Stack
Frontend: React
Backend: Node.js, Java (Spring Boot)
Database: Cassandra, PostgreSQL
Hosting: AWS (fully cloud-native)
Mobile: Native
Lesson: Microservices pioneer. Every component scales independently. Handles 200M+ users globally.
Instagram's Tech Stack
Frontend: React
Backend: Python (Django), initially
Database: PostgreSQL (main), Cassandra (scalability)
Hosting: AWS
Mobile: Native (later React Native for new features)
Lesson: Python/Django scaled to 1 billion users with optimization. Proves right architecture > choice of language for scale.
FAcode's Recommended Tech Stacks for Startups (2025)
Based on 100+ startups we've built, here are our battle-tested recommendations:
The Modern Startup Stack (Most Popular)
- Frontend: React + Next.js (SEO, performance, large ecosystem)
- Backend: Node.js + Express (JavaScript everywhere, async I/O)
- Database: PostgreSQL (reliability) + Redis (caching)
- Hosting: DigitalOcean (MVP) → AWS (scale)
- Mobile: Flutter (cost-effective, beautiful UIs)
- Auth: Firebase Auth or Auth0
- Payments: Razorpay (India) or Stripe (International)
Why: Balance of development speed, cost, scalability, and developer availability. Used successfully by 70% of our startup clients.
The Data-First Stack (AI/ML Startups)
- Frontend: React + Next.js
- Backend: Python (FastAPI or Django) for ML pipelines
- Database: PostgreSQL + Vector DB (Pinecone/Weaviate)
- ML Infrastructure: Google Cloud AI Platform or AWS SageMaker
- Hosting: Google Cloud (better AI/ML pricing)
- APIs: OpenAI, Hugging Face
Why: Python dominates AI/ML ecosystem. Google Cloud offers best AI/ML services and pricing. Essential for data-driven products.
The Budget-Conscious Stack (Bootstrapped)
- Frontend: React or Vue.js
- Backend: Node.js + Express
- Database: PostgreSQL (Supabase for managed backend)
- Hosting: DigitalOcean or Vercel (frontend) + Railway (backend)
- Mobile: Progressive Web App (PWA) initially, Flutter later
- Auth: Supabase Auth (free)
- Storage: Cloudinary (generous free tier)
Why: Minimizes infrastructure costs (under ₹3,000/month). Use generous free tiers. PWA eliminates mobile app development costs initially.
Why Trust FAcode's Recommendations?
100+ Startups Launched: We've built products for bootstrapped founders to venture-backed startups
Real-World Experience: We know what works in production, not just on paper
Outcome-Focused: We choose tech based on your goals, budget, and timeline—not trends
Transparent Pricing: Fixed quotes, milestone payments, no hidden costs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Should I choose popular technologies or bleeding-edge ones?
Always choose proven technologies for your startup. Popular tech stacks (React, Node.js, PostgreSQL) have: larger talent pools (easier hiring), more resources and tutorials (faster problem-solving), battle-tested at scale (fewer surprises), strong community support. Use new technologies only if they solve a specific problem existing tech can't. Remember: your goal is building a successful business, not showcasing latest tech. Airbnb, Uber, Netflix all use "boring" proven technologies.
2. Can I change my tech stack later if needed?
Yes, but it's expensive and risky. Rewriting costs 50-200% of original development. Examples: Twitter rewrote from Ruby to Scala ($millions), Uber migrated to microservices (took years). Best strategy: Choose wisely upfront. If you must change, do it gradually (service by service) not all at once. However, many companies scale to billions without changing core stack (Instagram with Python, Shopify with Ruby). Right architecture matters more than language choice.
3. Is React Native good enough or should I build native apps?
React Native is excellent for 90% of apps. It delivers near-native performance, shares code between iOS/Android (saves 40% costs), and is used by Facebook, Instagram, Shopify. Go native only if: (1) Building performance-critical app (games, AR/VR, heavy graphics), (2) Need latest iOS/Android features immediately, (3) Have budget for 2x development cost. For most startups, React Native or Flutter is smarter investment. You can always rewrite specific screens to native later if needed.
4. How much should I budget for tech infrastructure monthly?
MVP (0-1,000 users): ₹1,000-₹5,000/month on DigitalOcean or Railway.
Growing (1,000-10,000 users): ₹5,000-₹20,000/month on AWS/GCP.
Scale (10,000-100,000 users): ₹20,000-₹80,000/month with auto-scaling, CDN.
Large (100k+ users): ₹80,000-₹5,00,000/month for high-availability setup.
Add 15-20% for third-party services (email, SMS, analytics, monitoring). Start small, scale as revenue grows.
5. Should I use a BaaS (Backend as a Service) like Firebase or Supabase?
Use BaaS for MVPs and simple apps to launch 3-4x faster. Firebase/Supabase provide: authentication, database, storage, APIs out-of-the-box. Perfect for early validation. Limitations: Less flexibility for complex business logic, vendor lock-in concerns, costs increase significantly at scale (10,000+ users), customization challenges. Recommendation: Start with BaaS for speed, migrate to custom backend after product-market fit if you hit limitations or cost issues.
6. What's the difference between monolith and microservices?
Monolith: Single codebase with all features. Easier to develop, test, deploy initially. Perfect for MVPs and small teams. Microservices: Application split into independent services (user service, payment service, notification service). Each scales independently, uses best-fit technology, and can be deployed separately. Requires more DevOps expertise but necessary at scale. Best approach: Start monolith, migrate to microservices when (1) team grows beyond 10-15 developers, (2) hitting scaling issues, or (3) need independent deployment of features. Don't over-engineer early.
7. How do I validate if my tech stack can scale?
Key indicators: (1) Load testing: Use tools like k6, JMeter to simulate 10x-100x your current traffic. (2) Database queries: Complex queries should complete under 100ms. Use indexes and query optimization. (3) Horizontal scalability: Can you add more servers to handle load? (4) Caching: Implement Redis for frequently accessed data. (5) Monitoring: Set up New Relic or Datadog to track performance metrics. Most scaling issues are architectural (improper caching, N+1 queries) not technology choice. PostgreSQL scales to billions of records with proper optimization.
8. Should I hire a CTO or outsource development?
Outsource development (agency like FAcode) if: Pre-product-market fit, building MVP, non-technical founder, limited funding (less than $100k), need multidisciplinary team fast. Hire CTO/tech co-founder if: Post product-market fit, significant funding (Series A+), technology is core competitive advantage, need dedicated long-term technical vision. Hybrid approach: Many successful startups outsource MVP development, hire technical lead once validated, then build in-house team. This minimizes early risk while preserving cash runway.
9. What security measures should be built into tech stack?
Essential security: (1) SSL/HTTPS for all traffic (Let's Encrypt free), (2) Strong authentication (bcrypt password hashing, 2FA for admin), (3) Input validation and sanitization (prevent SQL injection, XSS), (4) Regular dependency updates (80% hacks exploit known vulnerabilities), (5) Environment variables for secrets (never hardcode API keys), (6) Rate limiting (prevent brute force attacks), (7) Regular backups (daily automated), (8) Web Application Firewall (Cloudflare). For fintech/healthcare, add: encryption at rest, PCI-DSS/HIPAA compliance, security audits, penetration testing. Budget 10-15% of dev costs for security.
10. How can FAcode help me choose and build the right tech stack?
FAcode offers free 30-minute tech consultation where we: (1) Understand your business model, target audience, and goals, (2) Analyze technical requirements and scaling needs, (3) Recommend optimal tech stack with reasoning, (4) Provide detailed cost estimate and timeline, (5) Suggest MVP features vs future enhancements. We've built 100+ products and know what works. After consultation, you'll have clear technology roadmap whether you build with us or not. Contact us on WhatsApp to schedule your free consultation.
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