Jake Manger
@jakemanger.bsky.social
A broke PhD student turned indie developer building software like a madman
https://howtoconvert.co ($5k/mo)
https://pictiler.com ($30/mo)
+2 failures
All my projects 👉 https://merlinsbeard.ai
https://howtoconvert.co ($5k/mo)
https://pictiler.com ($30/mo)
+2 failures
All my projects 👉 https://merlinsbeard.ai
Pinned
Jake Manger
@jakemanger.bsky.social
· Aug 23
Every “free” file converter online = your files sent to some random server.
So I made my own. Runs locally as an app on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Now 1,100 users use it for 3,742 types of conversions.
So I made my own. Runs locally as an app on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Now 1,100 users use it for 3,742 types of conversions.
Reposted by Jake Manger
I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
December 31, 2025 at 5:58 AM
I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
December 31, 2025 at 5:58 AM
I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
And it got voted product of the year on production expert!
Testing out a new hero message for How to Convert
🤞
Which do you prefer and why?
🤞
Which do you prefer and why?
December 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Testing out a new hero message for How to Convert
🤞
Which do you prefer and why?
🤞
Which do you prefer and why?
“Free” file web converters you find on Google aren’t free. You’re paying with your data.
Mine works 100% locally. Nothing uploaded. Ever.
8 hours left to grab 15% off for Christmas
Mine works 100% locally. Nothing uploaded. Ever.
8 hours left to grab 15% off for Christmas
December 26, 2025 at 7:05 AM
“Free” file web converters you find on Google aren’t free. You’re paying with your data.
Mine works 100% locally. Nothing uploaded. Ever.
8 hours left to grab 15% off for Christmas
Mine works 100% locally. Nothing uploaded. Ever.
8 hours left to grab 15% off for Christmas
This 2025 I had 108,104 website visitors!
Last year today I started working on this project. It came after years of failures.
Moral of my story: Don’t stop building!
Last year today I started working on this project. It came after years of failures.
Moral of my story: Don’t stop building!
December 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
This 2025 I had 108,104 website visitors!
Last year today I started working on this project. It came after years of failures.
Moral of my story: Don’t stop building!
Last year today I started working on this project. It came after years of failures.
Moral of my story: Don’t stop building!
Every “free” file converter online = your files sent to some random server.
So I made an app. Runs locally on Mac, Windows, Linux. Does 3,985 file conversions.
And it's 15% off for Christmas! 🎅
So I made an app. Runs locally on Mac, Windows, Linux. Does 3,985 file conversions.
And it's 15% off for Christmas! 🎅
December 22, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Every “free” file converter online = your files sent to some random server.
So I made an app. Runs locally on Mac, Windows, Linux. Does 3,985 file conversions.
And it's 15% off for Christmas! 🎅
So I made an app. Runs locally on Mac, Windows, Linux. Does 3,985 file conversions.
And it's 15% off for Christmas! 🎅
Reposted by Jake Manger
I made a desktop app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
December 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I made a desktop app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
I made a desktop app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
December 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I made a desktop app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
Crossed 2025 users this 2025!
10 months ago I launched a file converter app from my laptop.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
December 16, 2025 at 11:47 AM
10 months ago I launched a file converter app from my laptop.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
I go in cycles of using different task management tools
Now I just use a text file with:
TODO
- [x] fix startup bug
- [ ] add pdf compression feature
- [ ] nice work. get a coffee
Anyone else?
Now I just use a text file with:
TODO
- [x] fix startup bug
- [ ] add pdf compression feature
- [ ] nice work. get a coffee
Anyone else?
December 16, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I go in cycles of using different task management tools
Now I just use a text file with:
TODO
- [x] fix startup bug
- [ ] add pdf compression feature
- [ ] nice work. get a coffee
Anyone else?
Now I just use a text file with:
TODO
- [x] fix startup bug
- [ ] add pdf compression feature
- [ ] nice work. get a coffee
Anyone else?
10 months ago I launched a file converter app from my laptop.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
December 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
10 months ago I launched a file converter app from my laptop.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
Today people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 and 69 more…
I built this while finishing my PhD, coding in cafes in Australia and recently across Europe.
No VC funding. No team. Just solving a problem people actually have.
Got my lighthouse website performance score to 100!
Look out competitors on Google!
(Looking at you CloudConvert) 😏
Look out competitors on Google!
(Looking at you CloudConvert) 😏
December 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Got my lighthouse website performance score to 100!
Look out competitors on Google!
(Looking at you CloudConvert) 😏
Look out competitors on Google!
(Looking at you CloudConvert) 😏
I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
Just crossed my 2050th user!
Just crossed my 2050th user!
December 12, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally.
Just crossed my 2050th user!
Just crossed my 2050th user!
I made an website to make photomosaics locally on your computer
And it just crossed $200 in sales
Thanks for supporting my little project!
And it just crossed $200 in sales
Thanks for supporting my little project!
December 12, 2025 at 8:24 AM
I made an website to make photomosaics locally on your computer
And it just crossed $200 in sales
Thanks for supporting my little project!
And it just crossed $200 in sales
Thanks for supporting my little project!
Another article added to How to Convert's "as seen on" section.
And it's a ripper of a review!
If you're a audio or sound engineer, my file conversion app got into a Production Expert post!
You can read it here: www.production-expert.com/production-...
And it's a ripper of a review!
If you're a audio or sound engineer, my file conversion app got into a Production Expert post!
You can read it here: www.production-expert.com/production-...
December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Another article added to How to Convert's "as seen on" section.
And it's a ripper of a review!
If you're a audio or sound engineer, my file conversion app got into a Production Expert post!
You can read it here: www.production-expert.com/production-...
And it's a ripper of a review!
If you're a audio or sound engineer, my file conversion app got into a Production Expert post!
You can read it here: www.production-expert.com/production-...
I made a website to make photomosaics locally on your computer
Instead of spending $100s for a print shop to do it, you can make them free
And optionally spend $9 to get a high detail print-ready version when you're happy with it
Instead of spending $100s for a print shop to do it, you can make them free
And optionally spend $9 to get a high detail print-ready version when you're happy with it
December 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I made a website to make photomosaics locally on your computer
Instead of spending $100s for a print shop to do it, you can make them free
And optionally spend $9 to get a high detail print-ready version when you're happy with it
Instead of spending $100s for a print shop to do it, you can make them free
And optionally spend $9 to get a high detail print-ready version when you're happy with it
Australia just enforced its social media ban for under 16s
Good or bad decision? I'm curious what the tech bluesky thinks
www.reuters.com/legal/litig...
Good or bad decision? I'm curious what the tech bluesky thinks
www.reuters.com/legal/litig...
December 11, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Australia just enforced its social media ban for under 16s
Good or bad decision? I'm curious what the tech bluesky thinks
www.reuters.com/legal/litig...
Good or bad decision? I'm curious what the tech bluesky thinks
www.reuters.com/legal/litig...
My local file-conversion app started with roughly 2,000 supported conversions.
It now handles nearly 4,000 document, video, image, email and audio conversions! All processed offline on your device for speed and privacy.
Available on Mac, Windows and Linux.
It now handles nearly 4,000 document, video, image, email and audio conversions! All processed offline on your device for speed and privacy.
Available on Mac, Windows and Linux.
December 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
My local file-conversion app started with roughly 2,000 supported conversions.
It now handles nearly 4,000 document, video, image, email and audio conversions! All processed offline on your device for speed and privacy.
Available on Mac, Windows and Linux.
It now handles nearly 4,000 document, video, image, email and audio conversions! All processed offline on your device for speed and privacy.
Available on Mac, Windows and Linux.
I'm a solo developer that made an app to convert almost any file locally
This month I crossed 2,000 paying users 🍾
This month I crossed 2,000 paying users 🍾
December 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I'm a solo developer that made an app to convert almost any file locally
This month I crossed 2,000 paying users 🍾
This month I crossed 2,000 paying users 🍾
Reposted by Jake Manger
2,000 people are now converting files locally without uploading them to random servers.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
2,000 people are now converting files locally without uploading them to random servers.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
2,000 people are now converting files locally without uploading them to random servers.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
2,000 people are now converting files locally without uploading them to random servers.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
When I launched How to Convert 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if others wanted a locally Swiss Army knife like conversion tool. Turns out a lot of you do.
Went to see the royal visit at Windsor castle today
Did not expect to hear K-Pop demon hunters 😂
Did not expect to hear K-Pop demon hunters 😂
December 3, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Went to see the royal visit at Windsor castle today
Did not expect to hear K-Pop demon hunters 😂
Did not expect to hear K-Pop demon hunters 😂
I just spent the last 2 hours debugging only to realise I was editing and running the dev server in two different folders 😭
What’s the most embarrassing bug you’ve ever got stuck “fixing”? (please make me feel better)
What’s the most embarrassing bug you’ve ever got stuck “fixing”? (please make me feel better)
December 3, 2025 at 7:59 AM
I just spent the last 2 hours debugging only to realise I was editing and running the dev server in two different folders 😭
What’s the most embarrassing bug you’ve ever got stuck “fixing”? (please make me feel better)
What’s the most embarrassing bug you’ve ever got stuck “fixing”? (please make me feel better)
PS5s are now in airports
December 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM
PS5s are now in airports
How to Convert is currently 30% off!
Only 8 hours left till Cyber Monday ends
Only 8 hours left till Cyber Monday ends
December 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
How to Convert is currently 30% off!
Only 8 hours left till Cyber Monday ends
Only 8 hours left till Cyber Monday ends