Question:

If the choice is to daven early Maariv Friday night in a minyan of asara (or more) mispallelim, or to daven at tzeis (or at least after shkia) in a place where there won’t, or might not be, asara mispallelim, which should one do? (Early Shabbos is not the most l’chatchila.)

Answer:

It is better to daven with the minyan, even though it is too early to be yotza kriyas shema, and you will say shema again later. See sources.

Sources:

O:CH 235-1, M:B 235-8

Rabbonim of the Beis Hora'a