How to Choose
Pick the right template for your project in under 2 minutes.
These are common patterns - how devs typically use Dream API with our templates. But you're not locked in. Configure tiers, trials, and pricing however you want from the dashboard.
Building something we don't cover? Head to the AI Prompt tab in your dashboard and describe what you need. It'll generate the right SDK code for your setup.
1What's your business model?
SaaS / Subscription
Users pay monthly for access to your app. Tiers with usage limits.
Examples:
- AI tools with API credits
- Dev tools / dashboards
- Analytics platforms
Use: SaaS Template
Store / One-Time
Customers buy products once. No recurring billing. Guest checkout.
Examples:
- Digital downloads
- Templates / themes
- Courses (one-time)
Use: Store Template
Membership / Paywall
Paid vs unpaid. Unlimited requests. Gate your content.
Examples:
- Premium newsletters
- Video courses
- Private communities
Use: Membership Template
2Membership Explained
Membership vs SaaS - The Key Difference
Membership
- • Paid vs Unpaid - binary access gating
- • Unlimited API requests - no usage tracking
- • Best for: content, courses, communities
SaaS
- • Tiered limits - X requests per month
- • Usage tracking - metered billing
- • Best for: APIs, tools, platforms
Rule of thumb: If usage doesn't matter and you just want to gate content → Membership. If you need limits and metering → SaaS.
🎯 Single Tier + Trial Days = Pseudo Free Tier
Don't want to manage a free tier? Set up one paid tier with trial days:
Pro tier: $19/mo with 7 day free trial
What happens:
- User signs up → enters card → gets 7 days full access
- Day 7 → card charged automatically
- They cancel before day 7 → no charge. Otherwise → subscribed.
This is how most creators run memberships. Simple, effective, no "free tier" to maintain.
100% Configurable in Dashboard
You Control:
- • Number of tiers (1, 2, or 3+)
- • Monthly prices
- • Trial days per tier (card required)
- • Tier names and descriptions
No Code Changes:
- • Change prices → app updates automatically
- • Add/remove tiers → choose-plan page adapts
- • Adjust trial days → instant effect
- • Proration handled by Stripe
3React or Next.js?
React (Vite)
Simple, fast, client-side. Perfect for most projects.
- ✓Faster dev builds
- ✓Simpler deployment (static files)
- ✓Great for SPAs
- ✓Deploy to CF Pages, Vercel, Netlify
Recommended for most users
Next.js
Full-stack, SSR, API routes. For complex apps.
- ✓Server-side rendering (SEO)
- ✓API routes built-in
- ✓Better for large apps
- ✓Deploy to Vercel (best), CF Pages
Choose if you need SSR or API routes
4Using another framework?
Our SDK works with any JavaScript framework. The templates are just starting points.
npm install @dream-api/sdk
Works with:
Vue, Svelte, Solid, Astro, Remix, Angular, vanilla JS...
Check out the SDK docs for integration examples.
Quick Decision Tree
Recurring payments + usage limits? → SaaS Template
One-time purchases? → Store Template
Gated content (free vs paid)? → Membership Template
Not sure? → Start with Membership (React) - simplest to customize
All templates are free and open source