Definition · also called micro-SaaS, microsaas
A micro SaaS is a software-as-a-service business small enough for one person (or a very small team) to build and run: a narrow problem, a niche audience, a subscription price and minimal costs. It is usually bootstrapped and often run as a lifestyle business.
The term was popularized by Tyler Tringas through his free Micro-SaaS Ebook and his writing about running Storemapper, a store-locator app, as a one-person SaaS.
What makes a good micro SaaS
- A niche with a budget. Businesses that already pay for software (Shopify stores, agencies, recruiters, developers) beat consumers.
- Distribution built in. Many of the best micro-SaaS products live inside a platform's app store or integrate with a bigger tool, so customers find them where they already work.
- Boring and specific. Store locators, screenshot APIs, video screening, testimonial widgets: unglamorous problems with steady demand and few big competitors.
- Low support load. Self-serve onboarding and a product that just works, so one person can handle hundreds of customers.
- Small, but real revenue. Typically $1K–$50K MRR. Big enough to live on; small enough that venture-backed companies ignore it.
Micro SaaS vs regular SaaS
| Micro SaaS | Venture-scale SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Team | 1–3 people | Dozens to thousands |
| Funding | Bootstrapped | Venture capital |
| Market | A niche | As large as possible |
| Typical revenue | $1K–$50K MRR | $10M+ ARR target |
| Exit | Optional; sells for a multiple of profit | IPO or large acquisition |
Micro SaaS in practice: how indie makers use it
Micro-SaaS products from the directory, with revenue as reported:
Ran Storemapper, a store-locator app, as a one-person SaaS at about $40K MRR when he sold it in 2017, then wrote the playbook for it. (sources: saasclub.io, tylertringas.com)
Hirevire, which he calls a “boring B2B micro-SaaS” for async video screening, is verified at about $13.8K MRR in October 2026. (source: trustmrr.com)
ScreenshotOne, a single-purpose screenshot API, grew from $7 MRR in 2022 to about $36K MRR in September 2026 as a solo founder. (source: x.com)
Built and sold several micro-SaaS products: Hivoe at around $3K MRR, and Inboxs and Userdesk at around $1K MRR each. (source: solopreneurtofreedom.com)
Ran Insomnia, an API client, at about $20K MRR before selling it to Kong in 2019, then went indie again with Yaak. (source: schier.co)
Want the numbers behind more small products? See indie revenue by product and indie exits.
From our data: what indie makers report earning
Median reported: $22K/month
- $1K+/month88%
- $10K+/month65%
- $100K+/month23%
- $1M+/month3%
165 of 868 active makers in the directory publicly report revenue, converted to a monthly figure; it includes non-subscription income, so treat it as monthly revenue, not strictly MRR. Makers who report tend to be the successful ones. See the revenue leaderboard and the 2026 report.
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Frequently asked questions
What is micro SaaS?
A small, niche software-as-a-service business run by one person or a tiny team, usually bootstrapped, with low costs and subscription revenue.
Who coined the term micro SaaS?
Tyler Tringas is widely credited with popularizing it through his free Micro-SaaS Ebook and his writing about running Storemapper as a one-person SaaS.
How much does a micro SaaS make?
Most make between a few hundred and a few tens of thousands of dollars per month. Examples in our directory range from about $1K MRR to around $40K MRR.
What are good micro SaaS ideas?
Narrow tools for businesses that already pay for software: add-ons for platforms like Shopify, simple APIs for developers, workflow tools for one profession. Look for problems people already pay to solve.
Related terms
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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.