r/SideProject
2025-08-02·9

Summary

The post discusses an iOS app called VIA that helps users clean up their photo library using a swipe-based interface. The author shares that a user spent over 2 hours using the app, highlighting its effectiveness and addictive nature. The app is completely free, with no paywalls or subscriptions. Users have provided feedback on various features such as filtering by time/location, dark mode, and crash issues. The author is actively engaging with the community, addressing concerns, and planning future updates. Some users suggest additional features like duplicate detection, batch deletion, and Android support.

Opinion

Mainstream opinions include praise for the app's simplicity, free model, and user-friendly design. Many users appreciate the swipe-based approach and find it effective for cleaning up large photo libraries. However, some users raised concerns about the app's stability, suggesting that crashes and lack of progress saving are significant issues. There is also debate about whether the app should introduce paid features in the future. While some believe it's a great idea to offer premium features, others argue that the app should remain free. Additionally, there are calls for Android support, as many users are on Android devices. A few users expressed skepticism about the app's security and data handling, though the developer clarified that the app runs locally on the device.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
VIAhttps://apps.apple.com/it/app/via-clean-up-your-camera-roll/id6748358638?l=en-GBPhoto ManagementSwipe-based photo cleanup, dark mode, filter by time/location, free to use
Firebasehttps://firebase.google.com/AnalyticsUsed for app analytics and session tracking
App Storehttps://apps.apple.com/App DistributionUsed to distribute the iOS app
Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/Community EngagementUsed to share updates and receive feedback

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Overwhelming number of photos and videos in the gallery
  • Difficulty in efficiently sorting and deleting photos
  • Lack of intuitive tools for bulk deletion
  • Concerns about app stability and crashes
  • Need for better organization and categorization of photos
  • Desire for more advanced features like duplicate detection and batch deletion

Problems to Solve:

  • Managing large photo libraries
  • Efficiently deciding which photos to keep or delete
  • Ensuring data privacy and security
  • Improving user experience with better UI/UX
  • Supporting multiple platforms (especially Android)

Potential Solutions:

  • Implementing swipe gestures for quick deletion
  • Adding filters and sorting options
  • Introducing batch processing and duplicate detection
  • Enhancing app stability and crash prevention
  • Offering dark mode and automatic system theme detection

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging community feedback for continuous improvement
  • Using social media and forums (like Reddit) for promotion and engagement
  • Focusing on a simple, free-to-use model to attract users
  • Releasing regular updates based on user suggestions
  • Building a loyal user base through transparency and responsiveness

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing user success stories and testimonials
  • Engaging with communities and responding to feedback
  • Utilizing Reddit for visibility and user interaction
  • Encouraging user reviews and ratings

Monetization & Product:

  • Starting with a free version to build trust and user base
  • Considering premium features for advanced functionality
  • Avoiding paywalls and subscription models for basic functions
  • Exploring potential monetization through feature upgrades

User Engagement:

  • Actively responding to user comments and feedback
  • Creating a sense of community around the app
  • Regularly updating the app with new features and improvements
  • Encouraging user participation through reviews and suggestions

Summary

The post shares the excitement of a developer who received their first paying user for their SaaS product called PromptCard, a Chrome extension and website designed to make prompt input easier for ChatGPT users. The author expressed gratitude and motivation, and engaged with other developers who also experienced similar milestones. Some comments included advice on reaching out to users for feedback and caution about potential fraud.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion: The post is widely celebrated as a milestone in the SaaS journey, with many users expressing congratulations and sharing their own experiences of achieving their first paying customer. There is a strong emphasis on the emotional and motivational impact of this achievement. Controversial opinion: One comment raised concerns about the possibility of fraudulent payments, which sparked a brief debate about trust and security in SaaS monetization. However, this was not a dominant viewpoint and was quickly dismissed by others. Different perspectives: Some users emphasized the importance of engaging with early users for feedback, while others focused on the technical and marketing aspects of building a successful SaaS business.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
PromptCardhttps://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/promptcard-prompt-quick-i/oggkdbjplfcoeikenfcopgcogedkgpefChrome Extension & WebsiteA tool to make prompt input easier for ChatGPT users
MRRDashhttps://mrrdash.comMetrics Analytics DashboardHelps SaaS founders track key metrics like MRR, churn, LTV, and more

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in efficiently inputting prompts for ChatGPT
  • Lack of tools that simplify the process of using AI models
  • Fear of fraudulent payments from early users

Problems to Solve:

  • Improve user experience when working with AI tools like ChatGPT
  • Build trust and validate product value with early paying users
  • Encourage feedback from early adopters to improve the product

Potential Solutions:

  • Developing a Chrome extension to streamline prompt input
  • Reaching out to early users for feedback and engagement
  • Building a community around the product to foster growth

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Focusing on solving a specific problem (e.g., simplifying prompt input)
  • Engaging with early users to gather feedback and build relationships
  • Sharing progress publicly to motivate and attract others

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging personal stories and milestones (e.g., first paying user) to build credibility
  • Using social proof from other developers who also achieved early success

Monetization & Product:

  • Starting with a simple, focused product that addresses a clear need
  • Emphasizing the importance of product-market fit and user validation
  • Highlighting the value of early adopters in shaping the product's direction

User Engagement:

  • Reaching out directly to users for feedback and connection
  • Creating a sense of community through shared experiences and milestones

Summary

The post is from a user who has finally achieved success with their SaaS product, reaching $100 MRR within a month. They mention that persistence and learning from previous failures were key to their success. The product helps builders get their first paying customers, and they received positive feedback from users. Several users asked about the payment gateway used (Dodo Payments), the technology stack (Laravel & Filament), and strategies for user acquisition and retention.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion: Most users expressed admiration for the achievement and emphasized the importance of persistence, learning from failure, and focusing on solving real problems. There was also interest in the technical aspects of the product, such as the payment gateway and development framework. Controversial opinions: One comment raised concerns about relying too much on a third-party platform (Reddit), suggesting that diversification to other platforms would be safer. This sparked a minor debate about the risks of dependency on external APIs. Other perspectives: Some users shared personal stories of their own struggles and how this success story inspired them. Others provided advice on user acquisition and product development, showing the collaborative nature of the community.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Leadleehttp://leadlee.co/Lead GenerationA tool for helping builders get their first paying customers
Dodo Payments-Payment GatewayUsed for processing payments, mentioned by users but not detailed
Laravel & Filament-Web Development FrameworksUsed to build the app, as noted in comments

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in acquiring initial paying customers
  • Challenges in building a successful SaaS product after multiple failures
  • Concerns about payment gateway reliability and security
  • Struggles with user acquisition and retention

Problems to Solve:

  • How to consistently build and launch a successful product
  • How to manage and grow a user base effectively
  • How to ensure secure and reliable payment processing
  • How to retain users and keep them engaged

Potential Solutions:

  • Listening to user feedback and iterating on the product
  • Using frameworks like Laravel and Filament for efficient development
  • Engaging with the community for advice and support

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Consistency in building and launching products
  • Leveraging user feedback for continuous improvement
  • Focusing on solving real problems for builders and entrepreneurs

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Building a product that solves a real problem and attracts early adopters
  • Engaging with communities like r/SideProject for visibility and support

Monetization & Product:

  • The product is focused on helping users gain their first paying customers, indicating a strong product-market fit
  • The use of a payment gateway (Dodo Payments) suggests a monetization model based on user subscriptions or transactions

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging user feedback and actively listening to it
  • Building a community around the product through engagement on platforms like Reddit

Summary

The post introduces CYBER, a personal AI assistant inspired by JARVIS from Iron Man. It includes features like voice recognition, image analysis, and AI-powered command execution. The project uses technologies such as Gemini AI, Python, and various APIs. The author invites users to join a Discord server for updates and collaboration. Some users raised questions about the uniqueness of the project, AI-generated code quality, and lack of GitHub access.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion supports the project's creativity and UI design, with many users expressing interest and admiration. However, some users question its necessity compared to existing tools and raise concerns about AI reliability. A debate exists around whether the project should be open-sourced or kept proprietary. There is also discussion about the balance between AI-generated code and pre-tested scripts. Overall, the project is seen as innovative but requires further validation of its value proposition.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Gemini AIhttps://deepmind.google/AI ModelPowered the AI assistant with natural language processing and code generation capabilities
OpenWeatherMaphttps://openweathermap.org/Weather APIIntegrated for weather widget functionality
Mapboxhttps://www.mapbox.com/Mapping APIUsed for mapping features
YouTube Data APIhttps://developers.google.com/youtubeVideo APIEnabled YouTube summaries and content analysis
Webkit Speech Recognition-Voice RecognitionUsed for wake-word activation
Discordhttps://discord.gg/JGBYCGk5WCCommunity PlatformUsed for user engagement, updates, and support

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Users questioned the novelty of CYBER compared to direct use of AI models like Gemini or ChatGPT
  • Concerns about AI-generated code quality and safety
  • Desire for a more intuitive and customizable AI assistant
  • Lack of access to source code (GitHub link not provided)

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating an AI assistant with a modern UI and seamless integration of multiple APIs
  • Automating tasks through voice commands and AI-powered code execution
  • Providing a visually appealing and interactive interface
  • Supporting customizations like changing the assistant's name

Potential Solutions:

  • Auto code generation and execution for common tasks
  • Customizable UI and settings for user preferences
  • Integration of multiple APIs for enhanced functionality
  • Community engagement via Discord for updates and collaboration

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Building a unique and visually appealing product that stands out in the AI space
  • Leveraging community engagement through Discord for feedback and updates
  • Focusing on niche use cases like task automation and code execution
  • Emphasizing the aesthetic and user experience of the product

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing the project on Reddit to gain visibility and attract early adopters
  • Using social proof from positive comments to build credibility
  • Offering a free web-based version with optional paid features

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering a pro version with Python backend and full files as a premium offering
  • Balancing open-source and closed-source approaches based on user feedback
  • Prioritizing feature development based on user needs and requests

User Engagement:

  • Creating a Discord server for real-time interaction and updates
  • Encouraging user customization and personalization of the assistant
  • Highlighting visual design and UI improvements as key selling points

Summary

A user shared their first five sales on Reddit, indicating the start of their online income. They mentioned using PayPal for transactions and provided proof of sales in their profile. Other users asked about the nature of the project, with some questioning its legitimacy. The discussion highlights challenges faced by side project creators in gaining traction and trust.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion suggests that the user's success is encouraging but raises questions about the legitimacy of their product. Some commenters believe the project may involve reselling free services or sharing accounts, which could be unethical. Others focus on the effort required to achieve even minimal sales, highlighting the difficulty of building a SaaS business. There is a general sense of support for the user's achievement, but also skepticism about the nature of the product and its value proposition.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
PayPalhttps://www.paypal.comPayment ProcessingUsed for receiving payments from customers.

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in gaining initial sales for a side project.
  • Lack of visibility or exposure for new SaaS products.
  • Challenges in building trust with potential customers.

Problems to Solve:

  • How to generate early revenue for a new product.
  • How to build a customer base without significant marketing budget.
  • How to prove legitimacy and avoid suspicion of fraud.

Potential Solutions:

  • Offering free trials or demos to attract users.
  • Building a strong online presence through social proof and testimonials.
  • Using trusted payment processors like PayPal to increase credibility.

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging community platforms like Reddit to gain early traction.
  • Focusing on user feedback and improving the product based on real-world usage.

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Utilizing personal networks and online communities for word-of-mouth promotion.
  • Sharing success stories and proof of sales to build trust.

Monetization & Product:

  • Starting with a simple pricing model (e.g., using PayPal for transactions).
  • Emphasizing product value and ease of use to attract initial buyers.

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with comments and responding to questions to build rapport with potential customers.
  • Encouraging community interaction by sharing progress and updates.

Summary

The post describes a developer's journey with their SaaS product called StatusCue, which helps freelancers and agencies keep clients updated without endless email threads. The author reached 20 users organically through Reddit, and some users have already started using it with their clients. They shared insights about the tech stack used (React, NestJS, Firebase), the importance of solving real problems, and the value of user feedback. They also discussed challenges like double-entering data and the need for simplicity in client-facing tools.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion is that the product addresses a real and practical problem for freelancers and agencies, especially in simplifying client communication. Many commenters praised the authenticity of the post and the focus on solving a genuine pain point rather than chasing unrealistic metrics. There was also agreement on the value of user feedback and the importance of building trust through transparency. However, some debate occurred around whether the product should integrate more with existing task management tools, and others suggested expanding the feature set to include more detailed progress tracking. Overall, the discussion emphasized the importance of starting small, validating the product with real users, and focusing on organic growth.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
StatusCuehttps://statuscue.appProject Management / Client CommunicationLightweight tool for freelancers and agencies to keep clients updated without endless emails
Bolt.newhttp://Bolt.newUI Development ToolUsed to speed up frontend development
YakStak.apphttps://yakstak.appUser Feedback / Product DevelopmentTool for user interviews and feedback collection
DirectoryHunt-SEO / Traffic GrowthFree directories to boost SEO and drive traffic

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Clients getting lost in endless email threads
  • Freelancers needing to update clients without overcomplicating the process
  • Lack of clear, high-level updates for non-technical clients
  • Double entry of information between task management tools and client communication

Problems to Solve:

  • Streamline client communication for freelancers and agencies
  • Provide a simple, visual way for clients to track project status
  • Reduce the need for technical jargon or login requirements for clients
  • Avoid redundant data entry across different platforms

Potential Solutions:

  • A lightweight, easy-to-use status tracking tool for clients
  • Integration with existing task management systems (like Trello or Jira)
  • Real-time updates and milestone tracking similar to shipping tracking pages

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Building a product that solves a real problem, even if small
  • Leveraging organic growth through community engagement (e.g., Reddit)
  • Focusing on user feedback and iterating based on real usage
  • Keeping the product simple and straightforward to reduce friction

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Posting on Reddit as a primary marketing channel
  • Using organic content and storytelling to build trust
  • Starting with minimal marketing efforts and focusing on early adopters

Monetization & Product:

  • The product is free initially, with potential for future monetization
  • Product-market fit is validated by early users who are actively using it
  • Emphasis on solving a specific pain point rather than trying to be all-inclusive

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with users directly on forums like Reddit
  • Encouraging user feedback and incorporating it into product development
  • Building a sense of community around the product through open discussions

Summary

A user on r/SideProject shared their success story of generating $190 MRR with their side project, Tydal, which helps businesses generate leads via Reddit. They achieved this by actively engaging with Reddit communities, commenting on relevant posts, and using their own tool to identify potential users. The post generated discussions about the effectiveness of their approach, comparisons with other tools like Crowdwatch and Pulse for Reddit, and challenges related to free trials and user experience.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion seems to be positive about the user's success and the idea of using Reddit for lead generation. Many commenters expressed interest in trying the tool or learning more about the marketing strategy. There is also a general appreciation for the transparency and willingness to engage with users. However, there are some conflicting opinions regarding the value of free trials, with some users criticizing the lack of clarity and poor user experience. Additionally, there is a debate about whether the tool is truly different from competitors and whether it offers enough unique value to justify its cost.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Tydalhttps://www.tydal.coLead Generation ToolGenerates leads and customers for businesses using Reddit
Cusorful-Video Creation ToolUsed to create the how-it-works video
Crowdwatchhttps://crowdwatch.techSocial Listening ToolTracks social media activity, similar to Tydal but also works on X and LinkedIn
Pulse for Reddit-Lead Generation ToolCompetitor of Tydal with auto-reply features
Subreddit Signals-Lead Generation ToolCompetitor of Tydal
Leaddit-Lead Generation ToolCompetitor of Tydal
F5Bot-Lead Generation ToolCompetitor of Tydal that was used before creating Crowdwatch

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty finding relevant leads for business growth
  • Poor user experience on free trials (e.g., non-mobile optimized pages, unclear free trial terms)
  • Limited access to quality leads without paying
  • Confusion about the value of lead generation tools

Problems to Solve:

  • How to effectively generate leads using Reddit
  • How to improve free trial experiences for users
  • How to differentiate from competitors in the lead generation space
  • How to build trust and credibility with potential users

Potential Solutions:

  • Engaging in relevant Reddit posts and commenting to attract users
  • Providing clear and transparent free trial experiences
  • Offering unique features such as viral post templates
  • Building a strong community around the product through engagement

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging Reddit for organic marketing by commenting on relevant posts
  • Using the product itself to find target audiences
  • Encouraging user feedback to improve the product
  • Building a community through engagement and support

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Commenting on Reddit posts where users might benefit from the tool
  • Creating content that demonstrates the tool's value
  • Using testimonials to build credibility
  • Engaging with users who have questions or concerns

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering a free trial to attract users, even if it limits some features
  • Charging for advanced features to sustain the business
  • Focusing on niche markets where the tool provides real value
  • Continuously improving the product based on user feedback

User Engagement:

  • Responding to user comments and questions promptly
  • Encouraging users to try the tool and provide feedback
  • Building a supportive community around the product
  • Using testimonials and success stories to build trust

Summary

The post introduces an open-source AI image detection model that outperforms existing commercial solutions. The author has released two versions of the model (full and lightweight) and provided code for local or API-based use. The model is tested against a public dataset and achieves 83.2% accuracy, which is slightly better than a commercial solution (82.8%). The author encourages others to use the tool and contribute to its improvement.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion: Many users are interested in the open-source AI detection model, as it offers a free and accessible alternative to commercial tools. Some users, however, express concerns about the model's accuracy, especially in edge cases like images with non-AI elements or complex compositions. There is also a debate about whether AI detection tools are reliable enough to be used in real-world applications. A few users suggest that the model could be improved further, while others believe it is already useful for certain use cases.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
sightengine.comhttps://www.sightengine.comAI Image DetectionBest commercial solution for AI image detection, with 82.8% accuracy on the dataset tested by the author

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in distinguishing AI-generated images from real ones
  • Inconsistent performance of AI detection tools
  • False positives and negatives in AI detection

Problems to Solve:

  • Improve accuracy of AI image detection
  • Provide reliable and accessible AI detection tools
  • Reduce false flags and improve user trust in detection systems

Potential Solutions:

  • Open-sourcing an AI image detection model
  • Offering both full and lightweight versions of the model
  • Providing code for local or API-based use

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Open-sourcing the AI model to build community and trust
  • Offering a free API with rate limits to encourage usage and feedback
  • Providing both high-performance and lightweight models to cater to different user needs

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging the popularity of AI-generated content and the need for detection tools
  • Sharing results and comparisons with existing solutions to establish credibility

Monetization & Product:

  • Free tier with limited API access to attract users
  • Potential for future monetization through premium features or enterprise support
  • Focus on improving model accuracy and expanding use cases

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging user feedback and contributions through open-source development
  • Creating a community around the project through Reddit and GitHub

Summary

The post describes an app built to solve the common problem of deciding where to meet friends. The author shares their project on Reddit, seeking advice and feedback. Users suggest additional features such as payment splitting and filtering by price or preferences. The app currently integrates Apple Maps to show restaurant details. Some users prefer a web-based version instead of a mobile app.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion suggests that the app solves a real-world problem but needs more features to be truly useful. Many users agree that it’s a great side project idea. However, some are skeptical about its necessity, noting that people might not want an app for such a small issue. There is also a debate about whether a mobile app or a web app would be more effective. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of user feedback and iteration in building a successful SaaS product.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Apple Mapshttps://www.apple.com/maps/Mapping & Location ServicesIntegrated to show restaurant details, including website links and maps
Google Mapshttps://www.google.com/maps/Mapping & Location ServicesMentioned as a potential data source for expanding the app's features

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in deciding where to meet friends due to varying distances
  • Inconvenience of manually selecting a meeting point

Problems to Solve:

  • Finding a fair location that is equally accessible to all participants
  • Reducing conflict over meeting places

Potential Solutions:

  • A tool that automatically finds a central meeting point based on user locations
  • Integration with mapping services to provide detailed restaurant information

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Listening to user feedback and iterating on product improvements
  • Leveraging existing mapping services (like Apple Maps) to enhance functionality

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing the project on platforms like Reddit to gain early adopters and feedback
  • Re-posting after updates to maintain visibility and engagement

Monetization & Product:

  • Focusing on solving a specific, relatable problem to build a loyal user base
  • Expanding features based on user suggestions (e.g., filtering by price or preferences)

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging community interaction through comments and feedback
  • Demonstrating the app's value through continuous improvement and transparency