126
How I made €3,173 in the first 3 months with my macOS screen recording app
r/SideProject
7/10/2025
Content Summary
The author shares how he earned €3,173 in the first 3 months after launching his macOS screen recording app, Screen Charm. He built it solo while working full-time, spending 7 months on development. Key strategies included sharing his journey transparently on Twitter/X, offering free early access for feedback interviews, and launching with a €29.90 lifetime deal (later raised to €49.90). Most traffic came from viral tweets and retweets, including by Pieter Levels. The app differentiates with smart zoom effects for engaging demos. Challenges included export speed issues causing refunds. He advises solo builders to share openly and build in public.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream Opinions:
- Most commenters congratulate the author and find the journey inspiring
- Many acknowledge the value of transparency and building in public
- Several users express interest in trying the app as a cheaper alternative to Screen Studio
Conflicting Views:
- Some question the ROI ("7 months for €3k") vs others defend it as a starting point
- Debate on pricing models: lifetime deal vs subscription (one commenter suggests hybrid model)
- Concerns about app similarity to Screen Studio (logo/features), though author acknowledges inspiration
Key Debates:
- Distribution: Twitter effectiveness vs other platforms (Reddit, Product Hunt, Mac App Store)
- Idea Protection: Fear of copying vs validation through sharing (author advises not to worry)
- Competition: How to differentiate when similar products exist (price vs unique features)
- New User Challenges: How to gain Twitter visibility with new accounts (author recommends engagement over content)
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Charm | Not provided | Screen Recording | macOS app with smart zoom in/out effects, smooth cursor for engaging demos/tutorials |
| Screen Studio | Not provided | Screen Recording | Inspiration for Screen Charm, similar features |
| Cap.so | http://Cap.so | Screen Recording | Free alternative, lacks automatic zoom effects |
| 1001 Record | Not provided | Screen Recording | Alternative with features at reasonable price, may lack zoom effects |
| Zotai | http://zotai.app | Unknown | Mentioned by commenter as similar journey |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Built-in macOS screen recorder lacks smart effects for engaging demos
- Competitors like Screen Studio are expensive
- Export speed issues causing refunds
- Difficulty gaining visibility on social media for new accounts
- Fear of idea theft when sharing online
- Analysis paralysis when similar products exist
Problems to Solve:
- Creating professional-looking screen recordings with minimal effort
- Making tutorials/demos more engaging with effects
- Finding affordable alternatives to premium tools
- Improving app performance (lag, export speed)
- Building initial audience for new products
- Differentiating in competitive markets
Potential Solutions:
- Offer lifetime deals at lower price points
- Focus on unique features like automatic zoom effects
- Use hardware acceleration (e.g., AVFoundation) to improve export speed
- Engage actively on Twitter/X to build community
- Add referral programs to incentivize sharing
- Explore alternative distribution channels (Product Hunt, Mac App Store)
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Building in public with consistent progress sharing
- Offering free early access for feedback interviews
- Starting with lifetime deals to attract early adopters
- Gradually increasing price after initial traction
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Organic Twitter/X marketing through viral tweets and retweets
- Leveraging influencer retweets (e.g., Pieter Levels)
- Zero marketing budget approach
- Community engagement over self-promotion
Monetization & Product:
- Lifetime deal pricing (€29.90 → €49.90) to generate initial cash flow
- Free trial option to lower barrier to entry
- Plans to add features (playback speed) for differentiation
- Focus on niche (video creation tools) for expertise
User Engagement:
- Transparency about struggles and failures builds trust
- Active response to user feedback in comments
- Using interviews to polish product pre-launch
- Referral program suggestions (e.g., extra recording time for referrals)