Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#1

Post by phoenix24 » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 6:27 PM UTC

Hi HN,

Do you know any one man SaaS app that are profitable?

I'm asking this because I'm considering starting a SaaS app as a side project, and I'm looking for some inspiration.

Thanks!

Note: this is was previously on HN here[1], but it's been few years, and I'm sure a lot of one person startups are thriving than before.

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11924009

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#2

Post by anthony_franco » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 6:46 PM UTC

Indie Hackers lists lots of examples you can read about. Just filter on employee count and revenue: https://www.indiehackers.com/interviews/page/1?employeeCount...

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#3

Post by _august » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 6:49 PM UTC

Yep! I made https://fitloop.co as a solo maker and it’s making about $450 MRR.

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#4

Post by throw03172019 » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 7:47 PM UTC

I am the only full time cofounder of a healthcare SaaS. My cofounder is the domain expert who kept his job. No employees. ~20k MRR

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#5

Post by sergiomattei » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 8:12 PM UTC

I'm making https://getmakerlog.com, which is currently doing $200 MRR.

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#6

Post by megadethz » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 8:17 PM UTC

PlentyofFish founder.

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#7

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 8:20 PM UTC

_august wrote: post #3

Yep! I made https://fitloop.co as a solo maker and it’s making about $450 MRR.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#8

Post by jkeuhlen » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 8:22 PM UTC

sergiomattei wrote: post #5

I'm making https://getmakerlog.com , which is currently doing $200 MRR.

Just curious, did you go about setting up a formal corporation for the product? I'm thinking about setting up my own SaaS product and I'm not sure if I need to do anything on the legal/business side.

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#9

Post by gortok » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 8:22 PM UTC

I am not at liberty to say who it is but I know a one person SaaS (well, now a 4 person SaaS) that does several million a year in revenue. They found a niche and wrote software for that niche. It is the tiniest of niches but is underserved.

Re: Ask HN: One-person SaaS apps that are profitable?

#10

Post by anandkulkarni » Fri, Apr 19, 2019, 8:32 PM UTC

jkeuhlen wrote: post #8

sergiomattei wrote: post #5

I'm making https://getmakerlog.com , which is currently doing $200 MRR.

Just curious, did you go about setting up a formal corporation for the product? I'm thinking about setting up my own SaaS product and I'm not sure if I need to do anything on the legal/business side.

I wouldn't set up a corporation until you have either a reasonable amount of cash coming in or someone ready to give you a check. After that, I'd start with an LLC in your home state, unless you think there's a chance you'll take outside investment. If you do, conversion to a Delaware C-corp costs around $10K in legal fees.