A fortuitous decade as an indie software developer
Ten years after quitting his job, indie developer Jeff Johnson reflects on his journey from financial struggle to success. His first app, Underpass, was a flop, but his second, StopTheMadness, became a hit with the arrival of iOS 15 Safari extensions. Now a one-hit wonder, he shares his story of luck, perseverance, and riding the waves of opportunity.
My journey as an indie developer mirrored an enduring aphorism: it takes five years to become an overnight success.
- hermitcrab
As someone who has made a living as an Indie developer for 20 years (creating Windows and Mac apps) I feel it is getting harder:
https://successfulsoftware.net/2025/12/22/is-the-golden-age-...
- jesse__
"surfing is not a sport, it's a way of life"
Agreed friend
Also, "it takes five years to become an overnight success" is a fantastic line.
Great read
- dzonga
the software engineering profession seems to be one of the few professions that doesn't reward 20+ year professionals. with doctors, lawyers etc - your value goes up past 40.
but in software engineering with ageism - your value "goes down". when it should be the reverse if you're an IC.
so yeah going your own way as quick as possible - is not insurance for your sanity but income too.
is it easy no, but worth it.
- mintflow
Thanks for the frankly sharing of the journey, being in the same boat, after two years of not-worth-to-mention revenue from appstore, it seems start to get on track a bit now
I think I am not the lucky one to get overnight success and like in the post get the lucky time on iOS 15 release
Being writing a long article to record my indie app developper journey, Hope I can read in calm of it one decade later
- mikeaskew4
If you’re fortunate to have the chance, do it and don’t look back.