Learn how top indie cross-platform apps got built, launched, and grown
Indie Playbook is a curated directory of the most successful independent mobile apps built with cross-platform frameworks, with the origin stories and growth playbooks behind each one.
How Indie Playbook works
Three steps from curiosity to a playbook you can use.
Discover
Browse a ranked, data-driven directory of indie apps built on App Store ranking and download data from AppFigures.
Filter
Narrow it down by framework, store presence, or story type to find the apps most relevant to what you're building.
Learn
Read each app's origin story and growth playbook, then follow links to its website and store pages.
A field guide to the indie app ecosystem
Whether you're an indie maker, a mobile developer, or an entrepreneur, see what's actually working in production.
Curated Indie Directory
Explore top-ranking independent apps across App Store and Google Play categories, with download estimates, ratings, publishers, and release timelines.
Framework Insights
Filter by tech stack (Kotlin Multiplatform, Flutter, or React Native) to see which frameworks power real indie successes.
Store Presence Tracking
Quickly tell Dual Store apps, published on both Google Play and the App Store, apart from App Store exclusives.
Origin Stories
Learn what motivated each founder to build the first version, and how they validated the idea before scaling.
Growth Playbooks
Study the viral loops, ASO, paid acquisition, and marketing strategies that took apps to thousands of users.
Community Submissions
Nominate a cross-platform indie app you love, or suggest edits to help the playbook grow.
Got questions? We've got answers
Is Indie Playbook free?+
Yes. Indie Playbook is free to download and use, with no ads and no subscriptions.
Where does the data come from?+
Rankings, ratings, and download estimates are based on App Store and Google Play ranking data from AppFigures. Origin stories and growth playbooks are researched and curated, and the community can suggest edits.
Do I need an account?+
No. You can browse as a guest. Signing in with an email address is optional and lets you submit apps and suggest edits.
How does Indie Playbook protect my privacy?+
We collect only what's needed to run the app: your email if you sign in, and crash diagnostics. We don't sell or share your data with third parties, and everything is sent over HTTPS. See our Privacy Policy for details.
How do I delete my account and data?+
Delete your account directly in the app from your Profile / Settings, or email admin@dyor.com and we'll take care of it.
Start exploring the indie app ecosystem
Download Indie Playbook and see how today's top cross-platform indie apps were built, launched, and grown.