I make $10K/month from 28 apps

Quick Overview

iOS engineer Max Artemov achieved over $10,000 MRR by building and shipping 28 simple, single-feature apps in just 8 months using an AI-assisted framework, proving success is possible without extensive coding or large teams.

Key Points: Max Artemov built and shipped 28 simple mobile apps in 8 months while working full-time as an iOS engineer. He achieved over $10,000 Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) from this portfolio, having scaled from $100 to $10k in that timeframe. His success relies on a rapid, iterative framework: Find an idea via keyword research (using tools like SensorTower), prompt AI (like Gemini) for a development plan, copy recurring UI components, design in Figma, generate metadata with AI, and launch quickly. The core principle is to focus on shipping a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with only the core feature, avoiding feature creep, and then iterating based on user feedback. The tech stack for development is primarily Flutter, CI/CD uses Fastlane, AI coding/planning relies on Cursor ($20/mo) and Gemini ($50/mo), with OpenAI ($200/mo) for image recognition, and Firebase for backend/auth ($5/mo). He emphasizes the importance of the initial App Store launch boost period (first 10-15 days) for gaining initial traction before visibility fades. His final advice is to avoid being afraid of shipping, not over-polishing, and to focus on rapid iteration based on real user data.

Context: This video features an interview between a host (likely from 'Starter Story') and Max Artemov, an iOS engineer who has successfully built a portfolio of micro-SaaS applications alongside his full-time job. Max details his highly efficient, AI-driven framework for developing, launching, and scaling minimal-feature apps quickly to generate significant monthly recurring revenue, which he shares publicly as part of a 'Build in Public' effort.

Detailed Analysis

Max Artemov, an iOS engineer working full-time, details his strategy for achieving over $10,000 MRR by launching 28 simple mobile apps in 8 months. He explicitly rejects the idea that one needs a massive, complex app to succeed, focusing instead on speed and iteration. His six-step framework begins with App Market Validation (Step 1), where he uses ASO tools like SensorTower to find keywords with high search volume and low competition, ensuring top-ranking competitors are generating revenue (minimum $100-$200 MRR benchmark). Step 2 involves studying competitors to define a single core feature to improve upon. Step 3, Planning Fast with AI, involves using tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to generate clear development roadmaps, feature breakdowns, and UX structure, removing guesswork. Step 4 is rapid building and shipping: using Flutter for cross-platform development, reusing components from previous projects, and building a clean MVP focusing only on the core feature. Step 5 is releasing the app and immediately moving to the next build (App #2) once App #1 is functional, polished enough, and live, without wasting time on unnecessary polishing. Finally, Step 6 is returning to winners and scaling with ads once organic traction is confirmed via analytics tools like Mixpanel. The tech stack is cost-effective, relying heavily on free tiers for tools like Fastlane, with primary costs coming from AI services like OpenAI ($200/mo) and Gemini ($50/mo).