Build on top of AI models instead of competing with them.
Build a paid AI chat app as a solo developer: $170,005 in a month
An interface that saves heavy AI users time every day can become a real business, even with big companies shipping their own apps.
Figures as shared by the creator · source
From @tdinh_me on X · May 2025
Watch the video
Source post
The workflow
Where & with what
What they did
- 1The moveTony Dinh, an indie developer, launched TypingMind in 2023: a better chat interface for AI models such as ChatGPT and Claude, sold to people who want more control than the default apps.
- 2Step 2Find a daily pain heavy AI users have
- 3Step 3Ship a focused app that fixes it
- 4ResultHe posted $148K revenue for March 2025, then $170,005 for April 2025 (X, May 2, 2025).
Quick answers
What tools do you need?
Just the platform account.
How much does it cost?
No paid tools needed: this case uses only the platform itself, which is free to join.
Is it allowed?
Follow the platform rules and disclose ads.
Watch out: Revenue is as shared by the creator on X. He also says only 4 of his 10+ projects made significant money.
Try it yourself
(Our template, not the creator's prompt.) I want to build a small paid tool on top of AI models for [audience]. List 10 daily annoyances they have with ChatGPT or Claude, pick the 3 most painful, and outline a simple app that fixes them, with a price.
Your first step
Paste the prompt into your AI assistant and swap the [brackets] for your own niche.
Full write-up & sources
More detail: He shares his revenue in public on X.
Results: On Jan 1, 2026 he wrote that 2025 brought 150+ updates, 8,000+ new customers and an all-time high of $210K+ revenue in December.
Source: @tdinh_me on X · May 2025. Summarised in our own words; figures as shared by the creator or shown on the platform. Updated .
