FEATURE
These Apps Were Built by Just One Person
You use apps every day without thinking about who made them. Most people assume popular apps are built by large teams. But some of the highest-rated apps on the App Store — with tens of thousands of reviews — were built entirely by a single indie developer. Here are the most remarkable examples from our database of 4,000+ indie developers.
AI Assistant-kun
by Yukito Shibuya · Productivity
47.9K
Ratings
4.6 ★
Average
2
Total Apps
#1
IndieRank
A Japanese AI assistant app with nearly 48,000 ratings — built by one developer with just 2 apps.
Ranked #1 on IndieRank Japan.
Drawing App: Doodle Draw Pad
by Joe Blau · Graphics & Design
45.0K
Ratings
4.5 ★
Average
2
Total Apps
#10
IndieRank
A simple drawing app that became one of the most popular in Graphics & Design. 45,000 ratings with a 4.5★ average, made by a developer with just 2 apps.
Tategaki (Vertical Writing)
by Kazuyuki Mitsui · Productivity
43.6K
Ratings
4.6 ★
Average
2
Total Apps
#3
IndieRank
A vertical text editor beloved by Japanese writers and novelists. 43,600 ratings — a niche tool that became essential for its community.
1998 Cam - Vintage Camera
by Huu Nguyen Chi · Photo & Video
39.7K
Ratings
4.8 ★
Average
3
Total Apps
#1
IndieRank
A vintage camera app that captures the feel of 1998 disposable cameras. Nearly 40,000 ratings with a 4.8★ average — the #1 ranked indie developer worldwide on IndieRank.
Thermometer++
by Viachaslau Tysianchuk · Weather
41.2K
Ratings
4.2 ★
Average
1
Total Apps
#6
IndieRank
A single app. One developer. Over 41,000 ratings. Thermometer++ proves that you don't need a portfolio — you just need to solve one problem really well.
ClockPhone Big Digital Clocks
by Evgenii Kostin · Lifestyle
27.3K
Ratings
4.7 ★
Average
1
Total Apps
#20
IndieRank
A beautifully designed digital clock. That's it. One app, 27,000 ratings, 4.7★. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most successful.
These are just a few examples. IndieRank tracks over 4,000 indie developers across the App Store. Many of the apps you use daily were built by a single person working alone — and they deserve to be recognized.
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