Compare / Alternatives
Electrik vs Filament
A Filament alternative for Laravel SaaS teams that want package-first auth, teams, and Stripe.
The leading Laravel admin panel framework — exceptional for operator CRUD; not the same job as a multi-tenant SaaS product shell with team billing.
The short version
Use Filament when your product is an admin/back-office or you need resource CRUD fast. Use Electrik when you are shipping an end-user SaaS (auth, teams, Stripe plans, onboarding) with Slate product UI. Many apps need both: Electrik (or custom) for the customer app, Filament for internal ops — they are complementary more often than substitutes.
- Stack notes
- Livewire-powered admin panels, forms, tables, and resource UIs. Many “Filament starters” wrap Filament + auth/billing.
- Pricing posture
- Filament core is free (TALL stack). Plugins and third-party starters may be paid. Admin framework ≠ Electrik commercial license.
Feature matrix
Filament dominates Laravel admin UX: resources, forms, tables, notifications, and a plugin ecosystem. Comparing it to Electrik only makes sense because many founders search “Laravel SaaS starter” and land on Filament starters. The jobs differ.
Comparisons are based on publicly documented product positioning and may lag vendor changes. Always verify on the competitor’s site and run both demos before you buy or commit.
| Feature | Electrik | Filament |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution model How code lands in your app and how you upgrade it. |
Yes composer require electrik/electrik |
Yes Composer packages |
| Authentication Login, register, password reset, verification, sessions. |
Yes 2FA, sessions, verification |
Partial Panel auth; not full SaaS kit |
| Teams / workspaces Multi-user workspaces with invites and switching. |
Yes Teamwork fork + invites |
No Not core Filament |
| Roles & permissions RBAC beyond a single owner/admin flag. |
Yes Spatie, team-scoped |
Partial Policies / plugins |
| Stripe / Cashier billing Subscriptions, invoices, payment methods. |
Yes Cashier + plan sync |
No Add Cashier or a starter |
| Billing on the team Subscription owned by workspace, not only the user. |
Yes Cashier customer = Team |
No Not core |
| Onboarding wizard Guided first-run flow after signup. |
Yes Configurable wizard |
No Not core |
| Product UI kit First-class Blade (or equivalent) design system for the app shell. |
Yes Electrik Slate (MIT) |
Yes Filament admin UI |
| Primary stack Livewire, Inertia, Filament, or mix. |
Yes Livewire 4 |
Yes Livewire |
| Admin / resource panel CRUD admin for operators (not end-user SaaS shell). |
No Product shell, not Filament admin |
Yes Primary strength |
| Vendor-owned upgrades Composer package you update vs scaffold dumped into App\. |
Yes Code stays under Electrik\ |
Yes Package ecosystem |
| Free commercial lane Ship commercially without paying the kit vendor (grant or MIT). |
Partial Grant for indie/OSS; companies need commercial |
Yes Filament core free |
| Kit pricing posture What you typically pay the kit vendor (not your Stripe plans). |
Partial $0 grant or one-time commercial tiers |
Yes Core $0; plugins vary |
Deeper comparison
Admin panel vs product shell
Filament optimizes for administrators managing database resources. Electrik optimizes for customers registering, joining teams, subscribing, and using a product UI built with Slate. Building customer-facing marketing-quality SaaS screens in Filament is possible but fighting the grain; building an internal CRM in Electrik without Filament is possible but slower than Filament resources.
Filament-based starters
Third-party kits bolt auth and Stripe onto Filament. Those can be excellent if your SaaS is admin-shaped. Electrik’s demo and docs assume a Jetstream-like product app with billing on the team — closer to “customer workspace” than “staff panel.”
UI systems
Filament has its own design language and Livewire components. Electrik uses Electrik Slate for the app shell. You can install Filament beside Electrik for /admin while keeping Slate for /dashboard — a common split.
Licensing
Filament’s open core is free for commercial use. Electrik’s BSL applies to the Electrik package. Using Filament does not replace Electrik’s license if you use Electrik, and vice versa.
Choose Electrik if
- Your users are customers in workspaces, not only staff in an admin
- You need team invites, plan limits, and Stripe on the team
- You want Slate product UI and onboarding out of the box
- You prefer a SaaS kit package over assembling Filament + Cashier + auth
Choose Filament if
- The product is primarily an admin/back-office
- You need Filament resources, tables, and plugins yesterday
- A Filament starter already matches your CRUD-heavy SaaS
- You will build customer UI separately (or not at all)
Caveats
- “Filament starter kits” vary wildly — this page compares Filament’s role, not every paid starter.
- Electrik does not replace Filament admin CRUD.
- You can use both in one Laravel app with clear route prefixes.
Electrik vs Filament FAQ
Is Electrik a good Filament alternative?
Yes, when you want a Composer-package SaaS shell (auth, teams, Stripe on the team, Slate UI) instead of Filament’s model. Read the “Choose Electrik if / Choose Filament if” sections on this page — Filament is still the better pick for some teams.
Should I pick Filament or Electrik?
Pick based on the primary UI: staff admin → Filament; customer SaaS shell → Electrik. Many products eventually need both.
Does Electrik include Filament?
No. Electrik’s UI is Electrik Slate. Add Filament yourself for operational admin if needed.
Are Filament starters competitors?
Yes in the “Laravel SaaS boilerplate” search market. Architecturally they often center the admin panel; Electrik centers the customer workspace.
Try Electrik next
Composer install, or click the demo — then read pricing if you are past the grant.