RevenueCat

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Technology

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Technology

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6D AGO

88: SwiftLee – Antoine van der Lee

On the podcast: Antoine shares how he built RocketSim from an internal tool into a thriving business, the challenges of scaling as an indie developer, and the key marketing insights that drove growth—without relying on traditional ads or influencer campaigns. Top Takeaways: ⏱️ Solve time, and they will pay you There are countless solved problems in the world, but if your tool gives developers back their most limited resource—time—the sales pitch writes itself. 🧱 Build what your users ask for, and the trials will follow Releasing the number-one voted feature on a public roadmap is the most reliable way to turn dormant users into active trials. 🐢 Some problems take years to solve Not every technical hurdle can be Googled; sometimes you have to sit on an open issue for two years until your skills grow enough to crack it. 🤝 Embrace your competitors Cross-promoting with competing apps and newsletters actually grows your audience faster than trying to dominate a niche alone. ⛓️ Constraints are a feature, not a bug Going full-time indie can actually hurt productivity if you lose the strict prioritization habits that made you effective when time was scarce. About Antoine van der Lee: 🚀 Indie Developer and Creator of SwiftLee, a platform for iOS developers, and RocketSim, a tool that streamlines testing and simulating apps in Xcode. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about RocketSim 🎧Learn more about the Going Indie Podcast 📖 Read Antoine’s developer blog at SwiftLee Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckycRevenueCat - @RevenueCatLaunched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Antoine van der Lee and the story behind RocketSim[2:15] How Antoine started in iOS development and his early career journey[5:05] The creation of Swiftly: Antoine's approach to writing and sharing knowledge[7:40] The launch of RocketSim: From an internal tool to a public product[10:12] The challenges of developing a useful Xcode simulator tool[12:31] Antoine's approach to growing RocketSim without focusing on traditional marketing[15:22] The evolution of RocketSim: Expanding features and listening to users[18:05] How Antoine used his blog and newsletter to support RocketSim's growth[21:40] The balance between RocketSim as a product and maintaining a sustainable indie business[24:25] The impact of the App Store: Sales model and challenges[27:11] RocketSim’s transition into enterprise sales and selling to teams[30:03] Hiring for RocketSim: Bringing in the right people to scale without losing focus[33:20] The evolution of the RocketSim website and customer experience improvements[36:05] Antoine's experience with creating a full-time indie business alongside a family[39:00] Dealing with the growth of RocketSim and managing multiple projects at once[42:10] Insights into Antoine’s shift from a full-time job to an indie developer[45:35] The role of personal branding and community connections in RocketSim's success[48:10] The value of networking and connecting with others in the iOS community[51:05] Moving from product development to managing a business[54:01] Reflection on growth, work-life balance, and achieving indie success[56:22] Key takeaways for indie founders and AI product builders today

6d ago

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1h 13m
MAR 18

Bootstrapped to $6.7M ARR and an Exit to Quizlet in 2 Years – Brett Bauman & Zack Hargett, Coconote

On the podcast: about hitting $1M ARR in four months with no paid ads, why trial extensions beat discounts for saving cancellations, and why you should be hiring content creators, not influencers. Top Takeaways: 📈 Momentum is oxygen — get to revenue fast Reaching your first dollars quickly, even with a minimal product, creates a flywheel of confidence and capital that compounds over time. 🎯 Frame your product as a solution, not a toy Content that positions your app as the answer to a real problem converts; content that makes it look fun and novel does not. 🤝 Hire content creators, not influencers Follower counts are irrelevant in the age of algorithmic distribution. Look for creators with 5K followers and a Gmail address, avoid influencers repped by an agency. ⏳ Trial extensions beat discounts for saving cancellations When a user tries to cancel during a free trial, offering more time converts better than offering a lower price, and it avoids devaluing your product. 🚪 Move login to after the paywall Forcing account creation before users have experienced any value is a silent conversion killer. Removing it from the front of onboarding can cut drop-off by 10% or more. About Brett Bauman & Zack Hargett: 🚀Brett Bauman & Zack Hargett, Co-founders, Coconote, an AI-powered note-taking app revolutionizing how students engage with lectures. 👋 Brett Bauman LinkedIn 👋 Zack Hargett LinkedIn 💬Brett on X - @brttbmn 💬Zack on X- @zackhargett 🖥️ Quizlet website 📩 Quizlet careers Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] Introducing Coconote: The AI note-taking app that scaled to millions in ARR[2:15] The founding insight: Why students desperately needed better notes[5:05] Launch momentum: Hitting $100K ARR in the first 45 days[7:40] From idea to $1M ARR in just four months[10:12] Why most founders misunderstand marketing early on[12:31] The key distribution insight: Where your customers actually spend time online[15:22] Creator marketing vs influencer marketing: Why the difference matters[18:05] How short-form content became Coconote’s primary growth engine[21:40] Turning viral attention into real revenue with better messaging[24:25] Premium pricing for students: Why Coconote charged $99+ per year[27:11] Building trust when your product affects exams and grades[30:03] Improving conversions: The onboarding experiments that increased trial starts[33:20] Removing friction: Why login moved after the paywall[36:05] Retention lessons: Why trial extensions beat discounts[39:00] The psychology behind cancellations and keeping users subscribed[42:10] Managing explosive growth while keeping the team small[45:35] Acquisition conversations with Quizlet begin[48:10] Keeping acquisition talks confidential while running the company[51:05] The emotional moment when the acquisition finally closed[54:01] Reflecting on the journey from scrappy startup to exit[56:22] Final lessons for founders building AI products today

Mar 18

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1h 6m
MAR 6

The 2026 State of Subscription Apps Report

On the podcast: what the explosion in new apps means for the market, how the top 10% of apps grew 306% while the median barely beat inflation, and why hard paywalls convert 5X better than freemium. This conversation is focused on RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Head to https://www.revenuecat.com/state-of-subscription-apps to download the report. Top Takeaways:📊 The app economy is a sorting machine The top 10% of apps grew 306% while the median grew just 5.3%, and that gap is only widening as AI raises the ceiling for the best-positioned apps. 💰 Hard paywalls crush freemium on conversion, but context matters Hard paywalls convert five times better than freemium (10.7% vs 2.1% download-to-paid by day 35) with nearly identical year-one retention, but freemium remains the right call when free users drive word of mouth, network effects, or long-term brand scale. ⚡ Day zero is your best shot at converting a user The first session is when users decide both whether to pay and whether to stay. The majority of trial cancellations happen on day zero, meaning users who don't see value immediately rarely come back to find it. 🤖 AI apps sell, but they don't stick AI-powered apps generate 41% more revenue per customer but people churn 30% faster. Apps that solve that retention problem early will own their category; those that don't are just riding a wave of consumer curiosity. 📈 The App Store is experiencing a supply shock The number of new subscription apps launching each month has grown 7X since 2022, creating a hyper-competitive environment where distribution, not just features, is the primary barrier to success. About RevenueCat: 🚀Jacob Eiting, CEO at RevenueCat. 👋LinkedIn 🚀David Barnard, Growth Advocate at RevenueCat. 👋LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:27] Unpacking the key findings from the 2026 State of Subscription Apps Report[2:52] How “vibe coding” and new AI development tools have dramatically lowered the barrier to building apps[5:42] The emerging “supply shock” in the app economy as cheaper development leads to a flood of new apps competing for the same users[20:13] Breaking down the SOSA report methodology and why low-traffic apps were excluded from the dataset[21:57] Why the report separates AI apps from non-AI apps—and how AI apps tend to generate higher revenue per paying user[23:15] The explosion of new subscription apps, with launches increasing roughly 7× since 2022[25:33] Why iOS now accounts for about 77% of new subscription app launches, and what that says about platform economics[30:19] The “power law” reality of the app economy: the top 10% of apps grew 306%, while the median app barely grew[39:20] A key finding from the report: hard paywalls convert about five times better than freemium models[45:42] Trial behavior insights: over half of free-trial cancellations happen on day zero[47:40] The “billion-dollar leak” on Google Play: a large share of cancellations come from involuntary billing failures[51:21] The AI app paradox: AI apps generate higher revenue per payer but also churn faster than traditional apps[54:51] Why longer free trials appear to convert better—and why the data may reflect correlation rather than causation[1:00:54] How AI agents could change how developers analyze subscription business data

Mar 6

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1h 6m
MAR 7

The Art of Driving Retention Through Product – Ben Gammon, Ladder

On the podcast: product-driven retention as the foundation for lifecycle marketing, working backwards from results to nail activation, and why talking to individual users can lead you astray. This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators. Top Takeaways: 🎯 Product-driven retention is the foundation for lifecycle marketingLifecycle marketing hacks and perfect push notifications won't save you if the core product doesn't deliver results. Work backwards from what users say in five-star reviews to identify the results that matter, then build the product loop around consistently delivering those results. 📊 Teach features in the moment, not in onboardingUsers adopt features at far higher rates when coached during the action itself. In-context prompts while users are actively engaged are far more effective than FAQs or standalone tutorials. ⚡ Surveys beat user interviews for consumer product decisionsIndividual interviews with five to ten users can lead you astray in diverse consumer markets. Large-scale recurring surveys provide stronger signal and reduce the risk of over-indexing on outlier feedback. About Ben Gammon: 🚀 VP of Product at Ladder, a fitness app dedicated to providing the world's best strength training plan from the world's best coaches, every single day. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] Introduction to Ben Gammon, VP of Product at Ladder[1:08] Ben explains product-driven retention at Ladder[1:55] Retention is the key metric for Ladder's success[2:50] Activation: Work backward from user results to simplify the experience[3:53] Introducing the journal feature to track progress and boost retention[6:10] The journal as a reinforcement loop for ongoing user engagement[6:37] The widget: A powerful external tool for retention and reminders[7:30] Using subconscious interactions with the widget to maintain user engagement[8:09] Balancing user feedback with business goals and company vision[9:23] Collecting feedback through chat, surveys, and AI tools[10:19] Using feedback to create a positive feedback loop for improvements[11:47] Nutrition tracking: The next major retention challenge[14:15] Hybrid users (workout + nutrition) show higher retention rates[15:03] Secondary product-market fit: How nutrition complements fitness goals[17:03] User expectations vs. behavior: Asking for features but not always using them[18:08] AI and data help guide product iteration and decision-making[19:02] Ladder's vision for product expansion and retention growth[19:33] Ben discusses building a product-first team and a strong culture[20:01] Closing thoughts on user-focused product development

Mar 7

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22 min
FEB 18

How Skylight Balances Growth and Profit for Sustainable Success – Michael Segal & Mark Ungerer, Skylight

On the podcast, I talk with Michael and Mark about the boom in hardware-enabled subscriptions, why nothing worked until they stopped optimizing and started building a better product, and how they doubled their price to $79 even though the data said they could charge more. Top Takeaways: 📱 Hardware-enabled subscriptions need daily usage to work Devices that sit unused make subscription value harder to justify, but products that become the heartbeat of daily routines (like a family calendar) naturally create subscription demand. 🎯 Stop optimizing when you should be buildingLimited resources force careful prioritization, and sometimes the biggest wins come from building genuinely valuable features rather than running endless conversion experiments. 💰 Price based on customer emotion, not just dataTesting showed $99 would maximize revenue, but qualitative research revealed $79 felt fair while $99 approached "disgust territory," so they chose the lower price for long-term goodwill. 🏗️ Build a great product before scaling marketingSkylight tried to scale Calendar in 2021-22 but the product wasn't ready, leading to wasted marketing spend and false negatives until they focused on getting to 40+ NPS first. 🛍️ Retail partnerships are the ultimate influencerBeing in Costco and Best Buy provides a stamp of quality that can't be underestimated, and multi-channel distribution drives higher overall growth despite lower subscription attach rates in some channels. About Michael Segal & Mark Ungerer: 🚀 CEO, Skylight 📱 Michael Segal is the CEO of Skylight, a family tech company best known for its digital frames and calendars. Michael, a former venture capitalist, brings a unique perspective to Skylight’s growth strategy, focusing on balancing growth with profitability. He shares anecdotes about Skylight’s journey from hardware to subscription models, the importance of understanding customers' emotions about pricing, and how the team navigates the challenges of scaling both hardware and software. 👋 LinkedIn 🚀 CPO, Skylight 📱 Mark Ungerer is the Chief Product Officer at Skylight, where he leads product strategy, development, and design. With a keen focus on creating seamless user experiences, Mark discusses Skylight’s approach to subscriptions, how they test and refine features based on user feedback, and the key role retail partnerships play in building trust and credibility. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] The balance between growth and profit: Making decisions based on business goals[3:22] Timing the introduction of subscriptions: Skylight's early adoption and consumer reception[5:35] The hardware-enabled subscription boom: Market maturity and Skylight’s position[8:00] Unique challenges of marketing hardware-enabled subscriptions: Overcoming consumer skepticism[10:52] How Skylight integrates hardware with daily family life to drive subscription value[12:47] Pricing strategy: The magic behind Skylight’s price increase and minimal subscriber loss[17:43] Challenges in scaling growth: How Skylight navigates its multi-channel strategy[24:15] Shifting from free trials to subscription: The evolution of Skylight’s approach to testing[27:35] The importance of talking to customers: Using qualitative feedback to guide decisions[30:00] Retail partnerships as a growth strategy[33:45] Subscription dynamics: How pricing and subscription models shape Skylight’s business[36:25] Scaling with limited resources: Skylight’s approach to growth without a dedicated growth PM[38:40] Navigating hardware, software, and subscription moats[42:00] Biggest win: The success of the $79 subscription price increase[44:05] Biggest fail: Learning from free trial experiments and the need for more growth testing[46:01] Growth would be easier with more resources and strategic price adjustments for wider market reach[48:30] The importance of reducing friction in onboarding for increased conversions[52:30] The challenges of balancing customer acquisition with retention efforts[55:02] Skylight's vision for long-term customer value and growth[57:45] The impact of reducing friction in purchasing: How simple changes can dramatically increase conversion rates[59:10] Closing thoughts on growth strategy: Aiming for long-term success, not short-term wins

Feb 18

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1 hr
MAR 9

How ElevenLabs Turns Feature Launches Into a Growth Engine – Luke Harries

On the podcast: how ElevenLabs turns every new feature launch into a growth engine, how they're deploying over a hundred million dollars in paid ads, and why directing AI agents is quickly becoming a core skill for marketers and solo founders. This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators. Top Takeaways: 🚀Turn every feature launch into a full-funnel growth engineDon't just ship and announce. Coordinate each release across organic posts, landing pages, and refreshed ad creative simultaneously so earned attention compounds into paid efficiency. 💰 Train a custom GPT on your own winning ad copyFeed your top and bottom performing Meta and Google copy into a custom GPT, then use it to rapidly translate brand messaging into proven high-performing ad formats. It turns institutional knowledge into a scalable creative tool. 🤖Directing AI agents is the new core marketing skillThe future of marketing isn't just using AI tools but directing agents to handle messaging, storyboarding, ad creation, and localization, all grounded in your creative taste and brand direction. About Luke Harries: 🚀Growth / Engineering at ElevenLabs, is an AI research and product company transforming how we interact with technology. Their vision is to make communication and creation with technology seamless. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] Introduction to Luke Harries, Growth Lead at ElevenLabs[1:05] ElevenLabs' approach to growth through "growth engines"[2:20] The power of AI to unlock viral moments during product launches[3:34] How ElevenLabs maximizes attention through paid ads alongside earned media[4:41] The role of AI in optimizing ad copy and creative for paid campaigns[5:42] Balancing AI-generated content with UGC and in-house production[7:32] Why ElevenLabs stays away from AI influencers for product endorsements[8:51] Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) for effective campaigns[10:30] How ElevenLabs plans to spend over $100M in paid ads and approach campaign scaling[11:38] The importance of localization and segmentation in paid advertising[12:56] How ElevenLabs measures success and uses data to adjust their budget allocation[13:18] Blending brand-building with performance marketing[14:53] The future of marketing with AI-driven creative direction[16:39] How AI could enable solo founders to create billion-dollar startups[17:45] ElevenLabs' upcoming product, Flows, and recruitment efforts

Mar 9

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17 min
FEB 27

The Boom In Non-Game App Revenue And What's Driving It – Olivia Moore, Andreessen Horowitz

On the podcast: the tailwinds driving a boom in non-game app revenue, how vibe coding and AI workflows are fueling growth in categories that have nothing to do with AI, and why people predicting the "death of apps" have never been more wrong. This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators. Top Takeaways: 🚀 The app revenue boom isn't just about AI appsNon-game in-app purchases grew 21% year over year, but only $3.5 billion came from generative AI. Billions more flowed into short dramas, social media, utilities, entertainment, and other categories. 💰 ChatGPT helped reset what consumers will pay Pre-AI, most consumer subscriptions topped out around $60 a year. ChatGPT normalized $20 a month, and usage-based pricing is pushing some users into hundreds monthly. AI apps monetize at 2x pre-AI ARPU. 🎯 Vertical, opinionated products beat thin AI wrappers Build deep products around a specific use case bigger platforms won't prioritize. The litmus test: your product should get better, not fear for its life, when the underlying models improve. About Olivia Moore: 🚀 AI Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a venture capital firm that backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology. 👋 LinkedIn 👋 @omooretweets on X Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] Introduction to Olivia Moore, AI Partner at Andreessen Horowitz[1:05] Olivia discusses the role of AI in transforming startup growth strategies[2:10] The importance of aligning product development with user needs and market demands[3:15] How Olivia helps portfolio companies leverage AI to scale effectively[4:25] The challenge of balancing innovation with user experience and feedback[5:50] Olivia shares insights on identifying and seizing AI-driven market opportunities[7:00] Navigating the complexities of integrating AI solutions into existing business models[8:20] The importance of long-term growth strategies over quick wins[9:35] Olivia talks about the evolving role of AI in user retention and engagement[10:40] Discussing the ethical considerations of AI implementation in growth initiatives[11:55] Olivia’s thoughts on the future of AI in the startup ecosystem[12:30] Closing thoughts on driving innovation and growth through AI

Feb 27

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18 min
MAR 5

Why Web Onboarding Should Sell The Problem, Instead Of The Solution – Leon Sasson, Rise Science

On the podcast: why web onboarding should sell the problem instead of the solution, how discounted paid trials are beating free trials, and why creative that flopped for app ads might crush it for web funnels. This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators. Top Takeaways: 🎯Web funnels should sell the problem, not the solutionApp onboarding works by rushing users to an "aha moment" because they already want a solution. Web audiences are higher in the consideration phase, so effective web funnels go deeper on helping users recognize and personalize the problem before introducing the product. 💰Discounted paid trials outperform free trials on webRise found that offering a heavily discounted first month instead of a free trial improves both conversion quality and ad optimization. Free trials often attract users who cancel immediately, polluting the signal that ad platforms use to find high-value customers. 🎨Creative that flops on app campaigns can crush it on web, and vice versaWeb funnels attract a different audience than app install campaigns, often older and more e-commerce minded. Rise runs creative across both channels separately and regularly finds winners on one side that failed on the other, effectively doubling the chances of finding a hit from every creative concept. About Leon Sasson: 🚀 Leon is Co-Founder and CTO at Rise Science. RISE is the first energy management app that makes it easy to improve your sleep and daily energy to reach your potential. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Leon Sasson, Co-Founder & CTO at Rise Science[1:05] Leon discusses the evolution of web funnels and their unique challenges[2:10] The difference between app onboarding and web onboarding strategies[3:15] How Leon’s team pivoted to improve web funnels and found success[4:25] The shift in consumer behavior: Web audiences vs. app users[5:50] Insights on why discounted paid trials work better than free trials on the web[7:00] Balancing the user experience with a smooth billing process[8:20] How to test and optimize creatives for both web and app funnels[9:35] Leon’s approach to personalizing funnels based on user personas[10:40] Lessons learned from handling subscription billing outside Apple’s ecosystem [11:55] The future of hybrid monetization and web/app funnel strategies [12:30] Closing thoughts on evolving marketing and product strategies through testing and iteration

Mar 5

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21 min
MAR 3

The Hidden Cost of Underpricing Your Subscription – Patrick Rills, Lose It!

On the podcast: testing prices from $5 all the way to $120 per year, why rising CACs forced a pricing rethink, and how raising the price allows them to discount more aggressively. This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators. Top Takeaways: 💰 Retest prices you've already ruled out Market conditions shift constantly. A price point that couldn't beat the control for years can suddenly break even as competitors raise prices and consumer expectations change. 📈A higher base price unlocks more aggressive discounting Going from $40 to $80 creates room for steeper percentage discounts that drive higher conversion, even when the absolute dollar price is still higher. 🔒Rising CACs demand pricing that funds acquisition At $40/year, paid UA math barely worked. Doubling the price gave the marketing team room to compete on acquisition channels where costs keep climbing. About Patrick Rills: 🚀 Chief Product & Technology Officer at Lose It!, the app-based weight loss program mobilizing the world to achieve a healthy weight. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] Introduction to Patrick Rills, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Lose It![1:05] How pricing changes unlocked new growth opportunities at Lose It![2:12] Balancing customer acquisition costs (CAC) with retention through pricing strategy[3:25] Key insights from years of price testing, ranging from $5 to $120 per year[4:42] Raising prices to enable deeper discounting and improve conversions[5:58] Aligning product value with pricing to retain loyal users[7:06] The role of the freemium model in keeping users engaged after price increases[8:02] Using smart pricing and AI to drive growth[9:14] Leveraging data to fine-tune pricing decisions[10:27] How customer feedback and product data shape pricing strategies[11:38] Challenges and benefits of raising prices for an established product[12:33] Future plans for pricing tiers and new monetization strategies[13:18] Patrick shares iOS developer hiring opportunities at Lose It![13:41] Final thoughts on driving sustainable growth and user value

Mar 3

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18 min
MAR 8

Why App Economy Disruption Won’t Happen As Fast As Everyone Thinks – Eric Seufert

On the podcast: why app economy disruption won't happen as fast as everyone seems to think, how AI is just as useful for defending against copycats as creating them, and why the real barrier to app success is still distribution, not code. This conversation is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat’s State of Subscription Apps report. Each episode in this series will explore one crucial topic and share actionable insights from top subscription app operators. Top Takeaways: 📲Distribution is the moat, not codeAs AI lowers the barrier to building apps, it raises the barrier to getting discovered. More software competing for attention means user acquisition becomes harder and more expensive, not easier. 🛡️Use AI to defend against copycats, not just to build fasterUse AI to scan the app store daily for copycat apps, monitor rising competitors, and track their ads. Build automated defense processes that keep you ahead of clones. 📊App economy disruption won't happen as fast as everyone thinksNo-code tools, game engines like Unity, and now vibe coding have all promised to democratize app building. None eliminated the real barriers: distribution, product intuition, and the compounding advantage of iterating on user feedback over years. About Eric Seufert: 🚀 Founder of Mobile Dev Memo, a mobile advertising and freemium monetization trade blog. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] Introduction to Eric Seufert, Founder of Mobile Dev Memo[1:00] Why disruption in the app economy is taking longer than expected[2:00] The real barrier to app success: Distribution over code[3:15] How AI is reshaping app development and marketing[4:30] Eric’s thoughts on why AI won’t eliminate the need for great apps[5:45] Standing out in a saturated app market: How to break through[7:00] The role of customer feedback in driving growth[8:15] Why vibe coding isn’t sustainable for scalable app development[9:30] Using AI defensively against copycats in the app economy[10:45] The importance of scalable user acquisition strategies[12:00] The long-term impact of AI on app monetization[13:15] Balancing revenue and user experience in app monetization[14:30] Why building a successful app requires technical expertise and distribution[15:45] The evolving app economy and AI’s future role in scaling[17:00] Closing thoughts on staying competitive in an ever-changing market

Mar 8

•

20 min

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