Malte Peters
ptrs.dev
Malte Peters
@ptrs.dev
Hey indie devs: are you paid subscribers of your own app?
There are workarounds (offer codes, skip buttons, @revenuecat.com entitlements), and financially it makes no sense.
But maybe you do it for conviction? Or the little dopamine boost in the stats? How do you handle it?
#IndieDev #BuildInPublic
November 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
One year of Steps & Beasts — in numbers 🐾

9,000 downloads (half from lifetime free)
1,800 active users (30d)
165 subscribers + 43 lifetime purchases
$205 MRR • $3,267 total revenue

Built it for myself - now thousands enjoy it.
Grateful and excited for year two! 🚀

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #Flutter
November 10, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Always remember: you are not your customer.

A new user spent $30+ in Steps & Beasts - just 40 seconds after installing. 🤯

I’d never do that myself… but that’s exactly the point: you are not your customer.

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #StepsAndBeasts #AppMarketing #UserBehavior #Flutter #RevenueCat
November 7, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Redesigned the Steps & Beasts paywall! 🎨
It now fits the app much better.

Also added social proof for the first time — everyone says it helps with conversions, so let’s see. 👀

Thanks @alekseyrozh.bsky.social for the inspiration! 🙏

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #Flutter #Paywall
October 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Malte Peters
1/ 📊 App Store data doesn’t have to feel like a jungle.

That’s what Malte Peters @ptrs.dev, one of our users discovered with his app, Steps & Beasts:
October 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Update 1.3.7 is live! 🚀

Steps & Beasts now has a 3D tilt effect — layered Beasts, animated particles (like leaves 🍃), and a parallax motion that reacts to your phone’s tilt.

Took some time, but… tada! ✨
What do you think?

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #StepsAndBeasts #Flutter #AppUpdate #3DEffect
October 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Your app updates should be fun — not just functional.

This Monday, Steps & Beasts gets its first ever “What’s New” screen 🐾

A place to share personality, highlight features, and show I’m listening to feedback.

How do you highlight new features in your updates?

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #Flutter
October 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I’m not a UI designer.
But as an indie dev you can still build beautiful UIs.

Look at what you like → rebuild it → tweak it → repeat.
Focus on consistency. Iterate.

Bit by bit you’ll get faster, better — and proud of your designs. 🙂

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #UIDesign #StepsAndBeasts #Flutter
September 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Wondering if you’re “good enough” as a dev? Start a personal project.

I’ve learned more from side projects than anything else - even the ones I never released. You touch every part: concept, design, code, release.

Doesn’t matter if it goes live. You’ll grow a ton. 🚀

#DevJourney #KeepBuilding #Dev
September 12, 2025 at 8:20 AM
70% of my subs come right after onboarding.

Make users excited first (personal goals, motivation, personalization), then show a soft paywall - works especially well with a free trial.

Indie devs: Don’t forget to sell. 🙂

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #AppMarketing #Paywall #StepsAndBeasts #Flutter
September 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
300+ App Store ratings in 10 months 🎉
That’s ~1 per day — with a 4.8⭐️ average across 53 countries. 🌍

I ask right after a successful transaction, and again later if users skip. Works well for me.

Curious: how do you collect more (and better) reviews?

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #AppGrowth #Flutter
September 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
“I mean even God rested once a week.”

Got this as user feedback for Steps & Beasts — and it made me smile.

Listening to users is key. I’ve heard this request a few times now… so the next feature is set: Lazy Days. 🐾

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #StepsAndBeasts #AppDev #CustomerFeedback #Flutter
August 27, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Paid user acquisition as an indie is tough.

Under €1 per install? Rare.
More like €2–3.

Which means: your revenue per user has to beat that.
Strong conversion and solid value are key.

Or… find a niche where installs are cheaper.

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #AppMarketing #UserAcquisition #PaidAds
August 5, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Indie app life isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay.

I went full-time indie in 2014.
Built a lot, but growth was slow and pressure high.
Later that year I took on part-time freelance work — and suddenly, I enjoyed building again.

Security helps (my) creativity.

#BuildInPublic #MentalHealth
July 30, 2025 at 8:58 AM
You are not your customer.

I’d never pay for an app without trying it. But many users do — right after onboarding.

That’s why I show the paywall early in Steps & Beasts. And yes, people buy. Even the €30 lifetime.

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #AppMarketing #Monetization #StepsAndBeasts #Flutter
July 22, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Turned off cancellation & refund push notifications for my app.
Not ideal business-wise — but much better for my brain. 😅

I still check stats regularly, just on my terms. Dopamine is exhausting in both directions.

#IndieDev #BuildInPublic #MentalHealth #StepsAndBeasts #AppDev #Flutter
July 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
The best apps don’t win because of features — they win because of marketing. But as devs, we often focus too much on building and too little on visibility. Reminder: ship earlier, talk about it more.

#BuildInPublic #AppMarketing #IndieAppDev
I am building a cute step counter app: stepsandbeasts.app
July 16, 2025 at 8:43 AM
🚀 Did you know you can A/B test your app icon? I’ve been running tests on the App Store to optimize conversions. My latest test proved me wrong—my original icon outperformed the new designs! A/B testing is powerful, so start experimenting today!
Try my app: stepsandbeasts.app #IndieAppDev #AppGrowth
March 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Every app review boosts visibility! 🎉 Ratings build trust & improve App Store rankings — so prompt users after a positive interaction!

More ratings → more downloads → more ratings. It’s all connected!

My app stepsandbeasts.app just hit 200 ratings 🚀

#IndieAppDev #AppMarketing #BuildInPublic
February 21, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Blog marketing works! For Steps & Beasts, I pitched German iPhone blogs—3/5 replied, 2 featured it.

✅ 300 downloads
✅ ~$250 revenue
✅ ASO boost

2h well spent! Try it—it’s free.

Support me on my Indie app dev journey: stepsandbeasts.app 🚀

#IndieAppDev #AppMarketing #BuildInPublic
Steps and Beasts - Step Counter App
Steps and Beasts will playfully motivate you to walk more and reach your daily step goal. Collect all Happy Beasts!
stepsandbeasts.app
February 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM