Mobile App vs Web App: Which Should Solopreneurs Build?

Compare building a mobile app versus a web app as a solopreneur. Development effort, distribution, monetization, and market reach.

Mobile App

Pros

  • ✓App Store distribution
  • ✓Push notifications for engagement
  • ✓Native device features
  • ✓Higher willingness to pay on iOS

Cons

  • ✗App Store review process
  • ✗30% Apple/Google tax
  • ✗Need to support multiple platforms
  • ✗Higher development complexity

Best For

Products that need device features (camera, GPS, notifications) or frequent daily use

Avg. Revenue

$5K-$50K/mo for successful indie apps

Examples

  • • Marco Arment (Overcast)
  • • Charlie Chapman (Dark Noise)
  • • Simon Støvring (Scriptable)

Web App

Pros

  • ✓No app store approval needed
  • ✓Works on all devices
  • ✓Easier and faster to build
  • ✓Direct customer relationship (no 30% tax)

Cons

  • ✗No app store discovery
  • ✗Harder to charge for web apps
  • ✗Browser limitations
  • ✗SEO required for discovery

Best For

SaaS products, dashboards, tools, and any business software — faster to build and iterate

Avg. Revenue

$5K-$200K/mo for successful web apps

Examples

  • • Pieter Levels (All web apps)
  • • Marc Lou (Web SaaS)
  • • Nathan Barry (ConvertKit)

The Verdict

Web app for most solopreneurs. Faster to build, easier to iterate, no app store tax. Only build mobile if your product truly needs native device features. Many successful solo founders only build web apps.

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