ls ./research
Indie maker research
Original data studies computed from 824 in-depth indie maker profiles and 2,627 products. Every number is recalculated from the open dataset on each build, with sample sizes, methodology and a citation on every page.
By John Rush · Data as of · CC BY 4.0 · Open data (JSON)
- $24K/momedian self-reported revenue
- 5 yearsmedian time to $10K MRR (upper bound)
- 2.2×median exit price / annual revenue
- 36%of 2023+ launches are AI products
Studies
- 824 makers · 2,627 productsIndie Hacker Statistics 2026: 824 Makers, by the NumbersMedian self-reported revenue is $24K/mo; 51% are bootstrapped.
- 169 makers with public revenueHow Much Do Indie Hackers Make? Revenue Data From 169 MakersHalf of makers who publish revenue make under $24K/mo; the top 10% make $278K+.
- 97 makers who reached $10K MRRHow Long Does It Take to Reach $1K, $10K and $100K MRR?Makers who reached $10K MRR got there within a median 5 years of starting (upper bound); exact-year cases: 1 year.
- 2,627 productsStartup Failure Rate for Indie Products: What Shuts Down and Why3% of listed products have shut down and 7% were sold. The survivorship caveats matter more here than anywhere else.
- 73 exit storiesIndie Exits: What Bootstrapped Products Sell ForWhere price and revenue are both public, the median deal is 2.2× annual revenue (n = 5).
- 48 profitable stacksThe Tech Stack of Profitable Indie Makers ($10K+ MRR)Next.js is the most common tool among makers earning $10K+/mo (21%).
- 591 AI productsAI Products Launched by Indie Makers, 2018–202636% of products launched since 2023 are AI products, versus 8% in 2018–2022.
- Annual report · 824 makersState of Indie Makers 2026The long-form yearly report: who indie makers are, what they earn, build with and sell.
Related data pages: maker journeys, revenue leaderboard, exit stories (73), tech stack and product outcomes (2,627 products).
Frequently asked questions
Where does this indie maker data come from?
From 824 hand-researched maker profiles in the IndieMakerList directory, each with public sources: makers' own posts, open-startup dashboards, verified-revenue pages, interviews and press. 169 makers publish a usable revenue figure and 73 exits have a researched story.
Can I use these statistics in an article?
Yes. All studies and charts are CC BY 4.0. Quote any number with a link to the study page; every study has a ready-made citation, and individual stats have anchor links.
How often is the research updated?
Every number is recomputed from the dataset whenever the site is rebuilt, so the studies move as profiles are added and corrected. Data is currently as of October 31, 2026.
Is the data representative of all indie hackers?
No. It describes publicly visible indie makers with a track record, and revenue is self-reported. Each study spells out its sample sizes and biases, especially survivorship bias.