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The right Next.js template depends on what you are building and which services your project needs—not on a universal “best” ranking. Vercel’s Next.js template catalog is a useful place to discover starters for blogs, portfolios, SaaS products, ecommerce, and other project types. Treat it as a changing catalog, not a quality leaderboard: each candidate still needs its own checks for compatibility, maintenance, license, price, and setup effort.
How to choose a Next.js template
- Start with the project. Decide whether you need a blog, portfolio, SaaS app, multi-tenant platform, online store, or another specific product. A starter designed around your core use case can save more work than one that merely looks polished.
- Match the stack. Check the styling system, database, authentication, CMS, and external integrations you expect to use. The catalog offers filters for use case and several stack dimensions, including CSS, databases, authentication, and CMS.
- Confirm router and framework fit. Read the template’s README and inspect its source to confirm which Next.js version and routing approach it uses. Vercel’s current marketplace submission guidance expects App Router unless a specific technical limitation prevents it; that is a submission criterion, not proof of an individual template’s quality.
- Try the demo and follow the setup path. Verify that the demo works, then check whether the README explains installation, configuration, environment variables, and deployment. Vercel’s submission criteria call for a working demo and a Vercel Deploy button in the README.
- Audit the repository and terms. Check recent activity, open issues, release history, license, price, and whether the project’s dependencies are still supported. These details vary by template and cannot be inferred from its appearance in a catalog.
- Estimate the work to make it yours. Identify which parts you can keep and which must be replaced, such as the data model, design system, authentication flow, or CMS integration. A starter that requires extensive removal may be slower than a smaller, less polished foundation.
Examples to explore by project type
The official catalog includes examples across several common project shapes. The entries below are discovery leads, not ranked recommendations: their current maintenance, compatibility, license, price, and implementation details should be verified on each listing and repository.
| Project need | Catalog example | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Learn or test App Router patterns | Next.js App Router Playground | Whether its examples match the Next.js version and features your project will use. |
| Personal site or portfolio | Portfolio Starter Kit | How easily you can adapt its content structure, styling, and deployment setup. |
| Multi-tenant application | Platforms Starter Kit | Whether its tenant model and routing assumptions fit your product and hosting setup. |
| Blog | Blog Starter Kit | Its content authoring workflow, rendering behavior, and support for your preferred CMS or content source. |
| Commerce with Shopify | A commerce starter using Shopify | Which storefront features and Shopify integrations are included, and what configuration is required. |
| Commerce with Medusa | A Medusa ecommerce starter | How it connects to the commerce backend and which parts must be configured or supplied separately. |
| Content-managed site | Sanity starters | Which starter and Sanity features are relevant to your content model and editing workflow. |
| Collaborative or realtime experience | A Liveblocks starter | Which collaboration features it implements and what services or account setup they require. |
| Large team or complex project | An enterprise boilerplate | Whether its conventions, dependencies, and included infrastructure match your organization rather than adding unnecessary complexity. |
These examples are listed in Vercel’s Next.js catalog; the catalog can change. Its presence does not establish that an entry is actively maintained, free, correctly documented, or suitable for a particular production workload.
Check App Router compatibility against your needs
Use the current Next.js App Router documentation as a checklist, rather than treating “uses App Router” as the only compatibility test. The documentation, updated March 16, 2026, covers project setup and structure, layouts and pages, navigation, server and client components, data fetching and mutations, caching and revalidation, error handling, styling, image and font optimization, metadata and Open Graph images, route handlers, Proxy, deployment, and upgrades.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Check that the template’s routes, layouts, and navigation align with the App Router patterns your application needs.
- Inspect how it separates server and client components, and how it fetches and updates data.
- Look for its approach to caching, revalidation, and errors if your app depends on frequently changing or user-specific data.
- Review the styling, image, font, and metadata setup if those are important to your site.
- Confirm how the template handles API endpoints, deployment, and framework upgrades where relevant.
A template using a different router is not automatically unusable, but it may require a migration or make it a poor fit for a new project. Vercel’s submission guidance says submitted templates should use App Router unless a technical limitation prevents it; this describes marketplace expectations, not an audit of every listing.
What the catalog can—and cannot—tell you
The catalog is useful for narrowing options by use case and stack. Its entries illustrate the range of available starting points, from a portfolio or blog to commerce, multi-tenant, collaborative, and enterprise-oriented projects. The official Next.js showcase also presents starter examples, including a commerce starter and an image gallery, as ways to jump-start development.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Neither catalog presence nor a working demo settles whether a template is the right choice for your team. The available catalog information does not establish a defensible ranking of 23 templates, nor does it provide item-level confirmation of current maintenance, supported version, license, price, or customization burden for every example. Verify those points for the specific candidate before adopting it.
Make the decision on total effort, not appearance
Choose the candidate that already solves the project’s hardest real requirement while leaving you with a stack and codebase your team can maintain. A visually complete storefront may be a poor choice if its commerce integration or data assumptions do not fit; a smaller starter may be better if it matches your routing, content, and deployment needs. Compare the running demo with the repository and setup instructions, then account for both what you gain and what you must replace.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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