Technology·· Sjoerd Ligtvoet

The tech stack I use (and why)

Nuxt, Supabase, Tailwind, and Cloudflare: why I choose this modern stack, what it costs, and what it means for the future-proofing of your project.

Every developer has a favorite set of tools. But choosing a tech stack isn't personal. It's a business decision that directly impacts the speed, cost, and future-proofing of your project.

This is what I use and why.

The stack

Nuxt (Vue.js)

What: A framework for building websites and web applications, based on Vue.js.

Why:

  • Server-side rendering: your site is immediately visible to Google, without JavaScript needing to load first
  • Performance: automatic code-splitting, lazy loading, and optimizations
  • Developer experience: faster building = lower costs for you
  • Ecosystem: modules for SEO, i18n, content management, and more

Alternative considered: Next.js (React). Good choice, but Vue.js has a lower learning curve and is more efficient for the projects I build.

Supabase

What: An open-source alternative to Firebase. Database, authentication, storage, and APIs in one platform.

Why:

  • Quick setup: database, auth, and APIs out of the box
  • Open source: no vendor lock-in, you can always migrate
  • Scalable: from 10 to 100,000 users without re-architecting
  • Real-time: live updates without extra complexity
  • Affordable: free tier for small projects, affordable scaling

Alternative considered: Firebase (Google). Proprietary, more expensive at scale, and less control over your data.

Tailwind CSS

What: A utility-first CSS framework.

Why:

  • Consistent design: a design system out of the box
  • Performance: only the CSS you use is shipped
  • Speed: no context-switching between HTML and CSS files
  • Maintainable: styles live next to the components that use them

Cloudflare

What: CDN, hosting, and edge computing platform.

Why:

  • Global speed: your site loads fast, everywhere in the world
  • DDoS protection: included by default
  • Free SSL: HTTPS at no extra cost
  • Workers: server-side logic at the edge, close to your users
  • Affordable: free for most websites, affordable pricing for apps

Stripe / Mollie

What: Payment platforms for online transactions.

Why Mollie (Dutch market):

  • iDEAL integration (by far the most popular payment method in the Netherlands)
  • Dutch support and documentation
  • Lower transaction fees for European payments

Why Stripe (international):

  • Best developer experience
  • Subscription management out of the box
  • Worldwide coverage

What this means for you

No vendor lock-in

Everything I use is open source or has open standards. You're never dependent on a single vendor. Want to switch hosting in 3 years? No problem.

Future-proof

These technologies are actively maintained by large communities and companies. Vue.js has Evan You and a team of maintainers. Supabase has $116M in funding. Cloudflare is a publicly traded company.

Proven at scale

The same technologies are used by companies like GitLab (Vue.js), Nintendo (Nuxt), and Cloudflare itself. It's not experimental, it's enterprise-grade.

Lower costs

Open source = no license fees. Modern tooling = faster building. The result: custom work from €2,500.

Next step

Curious how this stack works for your project? Book a free call or see what I've built with it.

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