diff --git a/.changeset/twenty-llamas-sin.md b/.changeset/twenty-llamas-sin.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..30690cfdc06b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/twenty-llamas-sin.md
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+'@backstage/create-app': patch
+---
+
+Removed lighthouse plugin from the default set up plugins, as it requires a separate Backend to function.
+
+To apply this change to an existing app, remove the following:
+
+1. The `lighthouse` block from `app-config.yaml`.
+2. The `@backstage/plugin-lighthouse` dependency from `packages/app/package.json`.
+3. The `@backstage/plugin-lighthouse` re-export from `packages/app/src/plugins.ts`.
+4. The Lighthouse sidebar item from `packages/app/src/sidebar.tsx`, and the `RuleIcon` import if it is unused.
diff --git a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/app-config.yaml.hbs b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/app-config.yaml.hbs
index 7b70a2192c495..90f272270a018 100644
--- a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/app-config.yaml.hbs
+++ b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/app-config.yaml.hbs
@@ -65,9 +65,6 @@ techdocs:
publisher:
type: 'local'
-lighthouse:
- baseUrl: http://localhost:3003
-
auth:
# see https://backstage.io/docs/tutorials/quickstart-app-auth to know more about enabling auth providers
providers: {}
diff --git a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/package.json.hbs b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/package.json.hbs
index 48ab600c973ec..e40ed6f03d45a 100644
--- a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/package.json.hbs
+++ b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/package.json.hbs
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
"@backstage/plugin-techdocs": "^{{version '@backstage/plugin-techdocs'}}",
"@backstage/catalog-model": "^{{version '@backstage/catalog-model'}}",
"@backstage/plugin-circleci": "^{{version '@backstage/plugin-circleci'}}",
- "@backstage/plugin-lighthouse": "^{{version '@backstage/plugin-lighthouse'}}",
"@backstage/plugin-tech-radar": "^{{version '@backstage/plugin-tech-radar'}}",
"@backstage/plugin-github-actions": "^{{version '@backstage/plugin-github-actions'}}",
"@backstage/plugin-user-settings": "^{{version '@backstage/plugin-user-settings'}}",
diff --git a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/plugins.ts b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/plugins.ts
index 182ec3c51cf6d..d3c9d6e2f3315 100644
--- a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/plugins.ts
+++ b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/plugins.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ export { plugin as CatalogPlugin } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog';
export { plugin as CatalogImport } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-import';
export { plugin as Circleci } from '@backstage/plugin-circleci';
export { plugin as GithubActions } from '@backstage/plugin-github-actions';
-export { plugin as LighthousePlugin } from '@backstage/plugin-lighthouse';
export { plugin as ScaffolderPlugin } from '@backstage/plugin-scaffolder';
export { plugin as TechDocsPlugin } from '@backstage/plugin-techdocs';
export { plugin as TechRadar } from '@backstage/plugin-tech-radar';
diff --git a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/sidebar.tsx b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/sidebar.tsx
index a5595e2c091cf..d1f07bd132f70 100644
--- a/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/sidebar.tsx
+++ b/packages/create-app/templates/default-app/packages/app/src/sidebar.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import LibraryBooks from '@material-ui/icons/LibraryBooks';
import ExtensionIcon from '@material-ui/icons/Extension';
import CreateComponentIcon from '@material-ui/icons/AddCircleOutline';
import BuildIcon from '@material-ui/icons/BuildRounded';
-import RuleIcon from '@material-ui/icons/AssignmentTurnedIn';
import MapIcon from '@material-ui/icons/MyLocation';
import { Link, makeStyles } from '@material-ui/core';
import { NavLink } from 'react-router-dom';
@@ -34,7 +33,6 @@ export const AppSidebar = () => (
-
{/* End global nav */}