🎯 Final Recommendation
Phase 1: No Auth (MVP)
- Build client-side tools
- Use localStorage for limits
- Simple freemium with honor system
- Deploy as static site (free)
Phase 2: Simple Auth (Growth)
- Add lightweight user accounts
- Stripe integration
- Usage tracking
- Cloud backup for premium users
Phase 3: Full SaaS (Scale)
- Team features
- Advanced analytics
- Enterprise plans
This approach:
✅ Zero hosting costs initially ✅ Complete user privacy ✅ Easy to build and deploy ✅ Natural upgrade path ✅ No authentication complexity to start
Want to start with the no-auth client-side version? This would be perfect for validating your idea with zero costs!