How To Business?
I'm asking a real question, because I don't know.
Hey everyone! I'm Daniel from @appsforhumans
I'm an app developer focusing on offline apps (I know). I know there's so much power in SaaS and all these AI features, but I think sometimes we can forget that our devices are basically supercomputers and they can a LOT by themselves.
I just published Cook More an app for digital recipe management. Think samsung foods, or anylist, but my app is fully offline, even the "AI categorizing" is built-in, so data never leaves your device. That doesn't mean it's stuck there though, I developed a bluetooth library I plan to use in future apps so the device can sync and share with any other device running the app. This was a passion project for me, I've wanted to make it for years, I had a prototype I used for at least a year, but in January 2025 I decided I would make it a real product.
I think my ideas are a little unusual. I don't want to be responsible for user data. Anything I can move to the edge, I want to put there, and I plan to do more about this. I don't think people should need to create accounts. I don't like subscription models. I don't like email marketing. Honestly, I have no idea how I can succeed if I shun some of the best sources of advertising and revenue, but I'm going to try.
I would appreciate any tips from the community here, you all are doing some really amazing things, and I want to do great things too!
Replies
I really resonate with this, Daniel!
I'm also working on a product where I try to avoid typical SaaS patterns like mandatory accounts or forced subscriptions, and it's definitely scary sometimes thinking "can this even work?" — but I believe there's still a lot of value in offline-first and edge-focused apps.
Users appreciate it more than we think, especially when they realize you're giving them actual ownership of their data.
Wishing you the best with Cook More! Looking forward to seeing how your bluetooth syncing idea evolves — that's something I've been thinking about too.
@chanwoo_kim Thank you! The Bluetooth sync is working great so far. I made a post about how I designed the data for this kind of syncing.
By only syncing on Bluetooth the app loses the ability to sync long distance. I'm not sure if there's a way to solve this without a central server. But maybe the server can just be a way to bootstrap connections instead of actually processing any data. I haven't worked that out yet.
minimalist phone: creating folders
There are not many people who do it this way. (Hat off!)
I collaborated with a guy who did the same – system apps, cyber secure, no data collected (for a marketer – me – it was pain).
He had been working on that project 7 years after that exited. So nothing is impossible :)
@busmark_w_nika that's inspiring 🙂
minimalist phone: creating folders
@appsforhumans It was. I was working for that company only 6 months :D and the CEO gave me quite good money from acquisition :D
@busmark_w_nika That's great! Right now I'm going forward without an exit strategy. I intend to stay with this as long as I can.
minimalist phone: creating folders
Wish you all the best on this journey! :)
AQX
This is a really cool approach!
I'm sure you'll be able to find a market that's willing to pay a premium up front to keep their data secure and offline with no ongoing subscription.
Wishing you the best of luck!
@cameron_froese Thanks! I'm hoping I can find that market