Managing 100,000 events per month can lead to very different infrastructure choices depending on your budget, team size, and priorities. Here's a breakdown of three possible approaches:
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1. Open Source Stack (tech enthusiasts)
Tools:
- n8n for automation: A self-hosted, open-source tool with a highly active community and extensive possibilities.
- Baserow as the database: A powerful self-hosted alternative to Airtable, without annoying upgrade limitations.
- Render for hosting: Deploys effortlessly and offers a clean interface (easier to handle than AWS).
- PostHog for analytics: Combines analytics, feature flags, and A/B testing in a single open-source tool.
Estimated Cost: ~$29/month
- n8n: Free (self-hosted)
- Render: Free or $19/month for Pro
- Baserow: $10/month (premium version)
- PostHog: Free (self-hosted)
Why choose this stack?
- Budget-friendly
- No vendor lock-in
- Fully open source and scalable
To deploy all these services, you can use Coolify 1-click application deployment software.
2. Startup Stack (speed and simplicity)
Tools:
- Zapier for automation: A no-code powerhouse with an intuitive interface and 24/7 support.
- Airtable as the database: User-friendly with customizable views and robust APIs.
- Vercel for hosting: Offers seamless CI/CD, integrated analytics, and scalability.
- Mixpanel for analytics: Advanced segmentation, real-time insights, and professional-grade tracking.
Cost: $1,250/month
- Zapier: $600/month for 100k events
- Airtable: $250/month for 5 creators
- Vercel: $150/month for advanced monitoring
- Mixpanel: $250/month
Why choose this stack?
- Optimized time-to-market
- User-friendly for non-technical teams
- Professional support
- Advanced analytics capabilities
Why Developers Favor Open Source?
Open-source tools offer unparalleled flexibility and cost-efficiency but require a certain level of technical expertise. Developers are drawn to the customization, scalability, and lack of vendor lock-in. However, these tools often have steeper learning curves, which may not suit non-technical users.
On the other hand, SaaS solutions prioritize user-friendliness, professional support, and rapid deployment. These qualities make them an attractive choice for managers and fast-moving teams looking to focus on execution rather than infrastructure.
Tip for growing projects: If you’re just starting out, it’s often a good idea to go with a startup stack for speed and simplicity. Once you begin scaling and handling higher volumes, you can hire a freelancer on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to help implement and maintain open-source services for cost-effective scalability and ongoing support.
