Better Fullstack vs create-next-app
create-next-app is the official way to start a Next.js application. It creates a Next.js project from the default template or from an example, and its prompts cover the project setup: TypeScript, linter, Tailwind CSS, React Compiler, App Router, src directory, import alias, and an AGENTS.md file for coding agents.
Better Fullstack starts one level higher. Next.js is one of its frontend options, and the same command also selects the backend, database, ORM, auth, payments, and other integrations from 995 options across 8 ecosystems, then checks that the combination is compatible before writing files.
Facts about create-next-app checked against its public repository and documentation on 2026-10-06.
| At a glance | Better Fullstack | create-next-app |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Whole project: frontend, backend, data, auth, integrations | A Next.js application |
| Language ecosystems | TypeScript, React Native, Rust, Python, Go, Java, Elixir, .NET | TypeScript or JavaScript |
| Frontend choice | Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit, Astro, TanStack Start, Angular, and more | Next.js (App Router or Pages Router) |
| Database / ORM | 6 databases, 32 ORMs | Not part of the prompts (available through examples) |
| Auth | 30 providers (Better-Auth, Clerk, Auth.js, …) | Not part of the prompts (available through examples) |
| Linting | Biome, ESLint, Oxlint, Ultracite, and more as add-ons | ESLint, Biome, or none |
| Starting points | Option catalog, presets, or a visual builder | Default template, official examples, or any public GitHub example |
| Interfaces | CLI, visual web builder, MCP server for AI agents | CLI (interactive prompts or flags) |
What create-next-app gives you
The recommended defaults produce a TypeScript Next.js app with ESLint, Tailwind CSS, the App Router, and an AGENTS.md file. Flags such as --js, --biome, --no-linter, --src-dir, --api (route handlers only), and --empty adjust that shape, and --use-npm, --use-pnpm, --use-yarn, or --use-bun choose the package manager.
For anything beyond the base app, create-next-app relies on examples: --example accepts an official example from the Next.js repository or the URL of any public GitHub repository.
What Better Fullstack adds
Better Fullstack treats Next.js as one choice in a larger project. You can keep Next.js as a fullstack app or pair it with a separate backend such as Hono, Elysia, Fastify, or NestJS, then add an API layer (26 options including tRPC, oRPC, and GraphQL), a database and ORM, auth, payments, email, job queues, and AI SDKs.
Every selection passes through the same compatibility rules before generation, so a combination that does not fit together is rejected or adjusted instead of producing a project that fails later. Projects can also be monorepos with web, mobile, and backend apps side by side.
When create-next-app is the right choice
Pick create-next-app when you want a Next.js app that matches the official documentation exactly, or when one of the official examples already covers the integration you need. It is the reference starting point for Next.js and is released alongside Next.js itself.
Try the closest Better Fullstack equivalent
The nextjs-minimal preset scaffolds Next.js with Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui and no database or backend: `bun create better-fullstack@latest my-app --template nextjs-minimal`. From there, the `add` command can extend the project with capabilities such as email, observability, or deployment targets.
Frequently asked questions
Does Better Fullstack use create-next-app under the hood?
No. Better Fullstack generates projects from its own templates, so the Next.js app it writes is wired to the other pieces you selected, such as the API layer, ORM, and auth provider.
Can create-next-app add a database or auth?
Not through its prompts. Its options cover the Next.js setup itself. You can start from an official or community example that includes a database or auth, or add those libraries yourself after scaffolding.
Which should I use for a plain Next.js app?
Either works. create-next-app is the official tool and matches the Next.js docs. Better Fullstack's nextjs-minimal preset is a comparable starting point if you expect to add a backend, database, or other integrations later.
Try it in the builder
Configure any stack visually and get a ready-to-run command - every combination is compatibility-checked.
bun create better-fullstack@latestSee how Better Fullstack compares to other tools on the full comparison page.