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Jamie
Jamie

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I built two macOS menu bar apps and can't get a single paying user. Roast my approach.

I'm posting this because I need honest feedback from other developers, not encouragement.

What I Built

Two native macOS menu bar utilities:

TokenBar ($4.99 one-time)

tokenbar.site

Tracks your AI tool usage across 20+ providers in real time. If you use Claude, GPT, Cursor, Copilot, or any combination — it shows remaining capacity, reset timers, and pace data right in your menu bar.

I built it because I was juggling 5+ AI subscriptions and had zero visibility into my actual usage. I kept hitting rate limits at the worst times and had no idea which tools I was underusing.

Monk Mode ($15 one-time)

mac.monk-mode.lifestyle

Blocks distracting websites and apps from the menu bar. You can set up different block lists for different contexts (deep work, meetings, evenings).

I built it because every existing solution was either too expensive (subscription-based), too complex, or too easy to bypass.

The Problem

Zero paying users. Not "low sales" — literally zero.

Both apps work. I use them every day. The landing pages exist. I've written about them. But nobody has bought either one.

What I Think I'm Doing Wrong

  1. No free trial — maybe $4.99 is still too much to ask without trying it first?
  2. No social proof — hard to get testimonials when nobody's bought it
  3. Marketing approach — I've been writing content but maybe it's not reaching the right people
  4. Too niche? — macOS-only menu bar apps might just be too small a market
  5. Landing pages might not convert — I'm a developer, not a designer

What I Want From You

Please roast:

I can take it. I'd rather hear harsh truths than keep doing the wrong thing.


If you've successfully launched a paid Mac utility, I'd especially love to hear what worked for you.

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