$1k MRR does not energize me

[Duda Soft]

Hi everyone, I'm a web and mobile app developer.
Currently, I'm working remotely for a company with a good salary compared to local salaries.
Also, now I have a mobile application that is making $1k monthly. I've developed it for 1 year, and now it has more features compared to others.
I have 50k registered users and daily 150-200 new users are joining, 20 subscribers with a price of $35 monthly, and up to 2k daily ad watchers.
The application is only on the Google Play Store; I haven't published it on the App Store yet.
But I'm still feeling hungry for new ideas, new applications, new SaaS, etc. I can't stop researching.
I want to fully focus on this application, for example, for a better ASO rating, etc., but it doesn't energize me to do that.

I don't know what kind of earnings will stop me from doing this, but sometimes I feel exhausted.
What would be your suggestion for me?

 

[Xaliu]

First off, congrats on the $1k MRR! That is a huge milestone that most devs never hit.
It sounds like you’re suffering from Founder’s Itch, haha, you love the '0 to 1' phase (building) but hate the '1 to 10' phase (optimizing). But look at your numbers: 50k users and only 20 subscribers at $35? Your conversion rate is tiny, but your growth is solid.

My suggestion: Don't let the 'hunger for new ideas' kill this goldmine. If you don't enjoy ASO or marketing, use some of that $1k profit to hire a part-time growth specialist. Let them do the 'boring' work while you focus on the architecture or even start a small side-experiment to keep your mind fresh. Also, get that iOS version out Apple users generally spend much more on subscriptions!

 

[aydinasuh]

First off, congrats on the $1k MRR! That is a huge milestone that most devs never hit.
It sounds like you’re suffering from Founder’s Itch, haha, you love the '0 to 1' phase (building) but hate the '1 to 10' phase (optimizing). But look at your numbers: 50k users and only 20 subscribers at $35? Your conversion rate is tiny, but your growth is solid.

My suggestion: Don't let the 'hunger for new ideas' kill this goldmine. If you don't enjoy ASO or marketing, use some of that $1k profit to hire a part-time growth specialist. Let them do the 'boring' work while you focus on the architecture or even start a small side-experiment to keep your mind fresh. Also, get that iOS version out Apple users generally spend much more on subscriptions!

I completely agree with this. If you split your focus again for a new SaaS or app, you’ll likely fall even further behind on an existing project that already generates revenue but doesn’t really motivate you to keep improving it. Instead, focus on increasing your conversion rates.

 

[Duda Soft]

First off, congrats on the $1k MRR! That is a huge milestone that most devs never hit.
It sounds like you’re suffering from Founder’s Itch, haha, you love the '0 to 1' phase (building) but hate the '1 to 10' phase (optimizing). But look at your numbers: 50k users and only 20 subscribers at $35? Your conversion rate is tiny, but your growth is solid.

My suggestion: Don't let the 'hunger for new ideas' kill this goldmine. If you don't enjoy ASO or marketing, use some of that $1k profit to hire a part-time growth specialist. Let them do the 'boring' work while you focus on the architecture or even start a small side-experiment to keep your mind fresh. Also, get that iOS version out Apple users generally spend much more on subscriptions!

I completely agree with this. If you split your focus again for a new SaaS or app, you’ll likely fall even further behind on an existing project that already generates revenue but doesn’t really motivate you to keep improving it. Instead, focus on increasing your conversion rates.

Thank you for your thoughtful feedbacks. I will keep improving the application hopefully
I’m gonna buy a MacBook to proceed with the App Store and I’ll get an assistance for the ASO.

I thought AI would make something better for me in that case to increase the CVR but it didn’t work. I’ll also take a look at that.

 

[Starblazer]

$1k MRR is a good milestone. You're definitely adding value and you understand what works. You just need some motivation to reach next level. It's better to take feedback or think about improvements. You should also run ads to reach more people as you're delivering value.

 

[Noah123]

Bro all you need is some more marketing, if you want I can explain you how to do that with reddit shoot me a message (not selling just wanna help)

 

[haryacoub]

50k users is honestly insane traction. That part is clearly working.

From the outside, it looks like monetization and onboarding are the real bottlenecks. If you do not already have one, a hard freemium paywall would likely change everything. You may lose a small portion of active users, but the conversion uplift can be massive. With that user base, reaching 10k MRR quickly is very realistic.

A few concrete suggestions:

First, implement a clear freemium model. Users should hit a hard paywall for core value, but if they cancel, they should still retain access to a limited free version. This reduces fear of commitment while keeping pressure on upgrading.

Second, seriously optimize onboarding copy. Make the value obvious within the first screens. Tell users exactly what problem the app solves for them and why paying is worth it. Most conversion problems start here.

Third, use push notifications strategically.
• Remind users who installed but never completed onboarding.
• Nudge users who completed onboarding but never subscribed.
• For users who cancel, offer a win back incentive like 2 or 3 months free on an annual plan. That kind of offer converts far better than monthly discounts.

Right now, 20 subscriptions out of 50k users suggests the app is underpricing its value or not asking for payment clearly enough. Fixing paywalls, onboarding, and lifecycle messaging usually unlocks revenue fast.

Hope this helps, and good luck shipping the next iteration.

 

[Duda Soft]

$1k MRR is a good milestone. You're definitely adding value and you understand what works. You just need some motivation to reach next level. It's better to take feedback or think about improvements. You should also run ads to reach more people as you're delivering value.

Thank you for your reply. I'm gonna think about running ads.

Bro all you need is some more marketing, if you want I can explain you how to do that with reddit shoot me a message (not selling just wanna help)

Thanks! I've been sharing some posts on subreddits for a couple of months, and it has indeed returned good traffic. I'll reach out to you.

50k users is honestly insane traction. That part is clearly working.

From the outside, it looks like monetization and onboarding are the real bottlenecks. If you do not already have one, a hard freemium paywall would likely change everything. You may lose a small portion of active users, but the conversion uplift can be massive. With that user base, reaching 10k MRR quickly is very realistic.

A few concrete suggestions:

First, implement a clear freemium model. Users should hit a hard paywall for core value, but if they cancel, they should still retain access to a limited free version. This reduces fear of commitment while keeping pressure on upgrading.

Second, seriously optimize onboarding copy. Make the value obvious within the first screens. Tell users exactly what problem the app solves for them and why paying is worth it. Most conversion problems start here.

Third, use push notifications strategically.
• Remind users who installed but never completed onboarding.
• Nudge users who completed onboarding but never subscribed.
• For users who cancel, offer a win back incentive like 2 or 3 months free on an annual plan. That kind of offer converts far better than monthly discounts.

Right now, 20 subscriptions out of 50k users suggests the app is underpricing its value or not asking for payment clearly enough. Fixing paywalls, onboarding, and lifecycle messaging usually unlocks revenue fast.

Hope this helps, and good luck shipping the next iteration.

Thanks for your explanatory reply!

• I implemented onboarding that provides new users with information about the entire app process.
• Improved UI/UX
• I'm working on the notifications now
• I don't have a free or trial plan, but I'm gonna think about it

Now I have 50k users, and 8k of them are currently active. I can see up to 100-150 users on Google Analytics within the last 30 minutes.
Hope it will be much better soon

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies, now I feel a lot more motivated

 

[vijayxraza]

Thank you for your reply. I'm gonna think about running ads.


Thanks! I've been sharing some posts on subreddits for a couple of months, and it has indeed returned good traffic. I'll reach out to you.


Thanks for your explanatory reply!

• I implemented onboarding that provides new users with information about the entire app process.
• Improved UI/UX
• I'm working on the notifications now
• I don't have a free or trial plan, but I'm gonna think about it

Now I have 50k users, and 8k of them are currently active. I can see up to 100-150 users on Google Analytics within the last 30 minutes.
Hope it will be much better soon

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies, now I feel a lot more motivated

Free trial didn't worked for me. I got around 7k users but hardly 30-40 converted.

 

[alangstudio]

You’re not tired of the app.
You’re tired of uncertainty about what role you want next.