Deals
Apps I’ve bought from indie developers
I don’t only write about buying apps. Here are a few I bought from the indie developers who built them. I keep names and store links private, because that’s the promise I make to every seller. What I can share is what the apps were, roughly what I paid, how they made money, and why their founders sold.
| App | Platform | Category | Monetization | Price paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Device finder | iOS | Utility | Subscriptions + ads | About $100K (2023) |
| Wallpapers | Android | Personalization | Subscriptions + ads | About $20K–$40K |
| PDF generator | iOS | Utility | Subscriptions + ads | About $20K–$40K |
Every seller was the indie developer who built the app, and every one was a direct acquisition: I was the buyer, there was no broker, no listing and no commission for the seller. Prices are rounded on purpose, and revenue figures stay private.
A device finder app (iOS), bought in 2023 for about $100K
A utility that helps people find their lost devices: simple to explain, useful the moment you need it. Most of its revenue came from subscriptions, and AdMob ads earned a bit more on top. The developer who built it wanted to put their time and money into a new project, and selling the app is how they funded it.
Why this kind of app fits what I buy: people search the App Store for the problem, so installs keep arriving without anyone buying them, and the app is useful enough to be renewed rather than cancelled. In an app like this I look at the proceeds Apple actually pays, how much of the revenue is subscriptions rather than ads, and how much of the owner’s week it takes. The same list applies to any utility app I look at today.
A wallpaper app for Android, about $20K–$40K
A wallpaper app with a cute, playful style, on Google Play. iOS is my main focus, but I’m open to Android apps when the fit is right, and this one was. Like the others, subscriptions brought in most of the money and AdMob added to it. Its developer sold it to move on to their next idea.
Why this kind of app fits what I buy: a clear style with an audience that comes back for new content, and a monetization mix I already run elsewhere. For an Android app I look at the Play Console payouts, how much of the traffic is organic, and what the content pipeline needs after the transfer. The Google Play transfer also works differently from Apple’s, which is worth checking before anything is agreed.
A PDF generator app (iOS), about $20K–$40K
A tool for creating PDFs, exactly the kind of everyday utility I like to buy. Subscriptions carried the revenue, with AdMob income alongside. The founder used the sale to start something new.
Why this kind of app fits what I buy: document tools are a permanent need, the search demand doesn’t go out of fashion, and the paywall sits in an obvious place. For a subscription utility I look at proceeds over the last months, the split between annual and monthly plans, refunds, and whether the app is current with recent iOS releases. The full version of that list is in how I value an app.
What these deals had in common
- A range of sizes. From about $20K to about $100K, which is why I talk about deals up to $1M+: the size of the app doesn’t change how I buy it.
- Indie developers on the other side. No company, no acquisition team: one person who built the app and knew it inside out.
- Subscriptions first, ads second. Recurring revenue with AdMob on top is a mix I understand well, from both buying subscription apps and selling an ad-supported app.
- Utilities and everyday tools. Two of the three are exactly what I keep looking for: see selling a utility app.
- A clear reason to sell. Each founder wanted to put the money into a new project. Selling a working app turned the work they had already done into funding for the next one.
Why no names or exact prices?
Most founders don’t want their users, competitors, or employer to know they sold. I sign NDAs on request and keep every deal private by default, so this page gives rounded prices and categories, never the app itself. If you’re thinking about selling, read how to sell an app confidentially, or see who I am and what I look for.
Selling an app like these?
I mainly buy iOS apps with steady revenue (or 5K+ downloads a month), in deals of any size, up to $1M+. Once talks are serious, I can put you in touch with a founder who sold to me. You can estimate what your app is worth first, see how I get to the number, or just get in touch.
Questions about these deals
Why don’t you name the apps?
Because most founders don’t want their users, competitors or employer to know they sold, and that privacy is the promise I make to every seller. Names, store links and developer accounts stay out of this page permanently, not just until the deal is old.
Are these all the apps you’ve bought?
These are the acquisitions from indie developers that I can describe without identifying the app. The portfolio I run also includes apps I built myself.
Would you buy an app like these today?
Yes. Utilities and everyday tools with subscription revenue are still the core of what I buy, in deals up to $1M+. The full fit list is in my acquisition criteria.
Can I talk to a founder who sold to you?
Yes. Once talks are serious, I can put you in touch with a founder who sold an app to me, so you hear how it went from their side.