The problem with most "tool stack" articles
They're written by people who haven't actually shipped anything. So here's ours — built from real usage across dozens of indie projects in 2026.
Idea Validation
ChatGPT + Perplexity — Before writing a line of code, use ChatGPT to stress-test your idea with devil's advocate mode on, and Perplexity to scan what competitors are already doing. Total cost: $20/mo.
Design & Prototyping
Figma is still the standard. But pair it with Framer for landing pages — you can go from design to live in an afternoon, no dev needed. If you're not a designer, Canva covers 80% of social and marketing assets.
Build
Supabase for your database and auth. Vercel for deployment. Resend for transactional email. This trio gets you from zero to production-ready backend in a weekend.
Writing & Content
Claude for long-form drafts and code documentation. Writesonic for SEO content at scale. ElevenLabs if you're adding voice to your product or creating podcast content.
Project Management
Linear if you're solo or a small team. Opinionated, fast, and beautiful. Notion for your second brain — docs, research, and wikis live here.
The Rule
Every tool in your stack should either save you more than 2 hours a week or unlock something you literally couldn't do alone. If it doesn't pass that test, cut it.