Definition · also called indie maker, indie hacking, indiehacker
An indie hacker is someone who builds an online business independently, without venture funding or a boss, aiming for profit and freedom rather than hypergrowth. Most are developers or designers who build their own software products, often alone or with one partner.
Indie maker means the same thing with a wider frame: it includes people making apps, games, newsletters and templates as well as SaaS. This directory tracks 868 active indie makers.
Where the term came from
“Indie hacker” was popularized by Indie Hackers, the community and podcast started by Courtland Allen in 2016, which interviewed founders about how much their products made. Stripe acquired it in April 2017, and it became independent again in 2023. The community gave the movement its name, its revenue-transparency culture and much of its vocabulary.
Indie hacker vs indie maker vs solopreneur
| Term | Emphasis |
|---|---|
| Indie hacker | Building a profitable software business independently; comes from the Indie Hackers community |
| Indie maker | The same idea, wider: apps, games, newsletters, templates; popular on Product Hunt and X |
| Solopreneur | Running any business entirely alone |
| Bootstrapper | Funding a business from revenue rather than investors, at any team size |
For a longer answer see what is an indie maker?
Indie hacker in practice: how indie makers use it
A few of the people who shaped what indie hacking means:
Founded Indie Hackers in 2016, sold it to Stripe in 2017 and took it independent again in 2023. (sources: indiehackers.com, theygotacquired.com)
Launched 12 startups in 12 months in 2014, wrote the book MAKE about bootstrapping, and runs a portfolio of solo products. (sources: levels.io, readmake.com)
Built BetaList and WIP, a community of makers shipping in public, and runs the Build in Public community on X. (sources: marc.io, killbridge.com)
Named Product Hunt's Maker of the Year for 2018 after quitting his job to reach $1K MRR in public. (source: andreyazimov.com)
Went from developer at a company to a full-time indie hacker with several products, two six-figure exits and his first million in revenue, all documented in his newsletter. (source: news.tonydinh.com)
Meet more in famous indie makers or browse all makers.
Frequently asked questions
What is an indie hacker?
Someone who builds and runs their own online business independently, usually bootstrapped and often solo, aiming for profit and freedom instead of venture-scale growth.
Is indie hacker the same as indie maker?
Mostly. Indie hacker comes from the Indie Hackers community and leans toward software businesses; indie maker is broader and includes games, apps, newsletters and other products.
Who started Indie Hackers?
Courtland Allen started Indie Hackers in 2016. Stripe acquired it in April 2017, and it became independent again in 2023.
Related terms
Keep reading
Maker examples are paraphrased from the cited sources and from each maker's IndieMakerList profile; revenue is self-reported unless marked verified. Spotted an error? Tell us.