10 Tools Indie Hackers Use to Build Products

Here's a quick overview of 10 essential tools for indie hackers:

Tool	Purpose	Key Features
React	UI development	Component-based, Virtual DOM, Hooks
Node.js + Express	Backend development	Fast, Scalable, Large community
PostgreSQL	Database management	ACID compliant, Scalable, Data integrity
GitHub	Version control	Collaboration, Issue tracking, Code review
Figma	Design	Real-time collaboration, Vector tools, Plugins
Trello	Project management	Boards, Cards, Lists, Checklists
Google Analytics	Web analytics	Auto insights, Custom reports, Event tracking
Intercom	Customer communication	In-app messaging, Help center, Ticket assignment
Stripe	Payment processing	Online payments, Invoicing, Subscriptions
Vercel	Deployment	Auto builds, Preview deployments, Global CDN

These tools cover coding, design, data tracking, and payments, helping indie hackers build and launch products efficiently. Each tool has its strengths, so choose based on your project needs and workflow preferences.

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1. React

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It's widely used by indie hackers to create web applications.

Key Features

React offers several features that make it useful for building web apps:

Feature	Description
Component-based	Build UIs with reusable pieces
Virtual DOM	Improves app speed
Hooks	Manage state and side effects easily
TypeScript support	Add optional static typing

Benefits

React can help indie hackers in many ways:

• Easy to create complex UIs

• Fast and responsive apps

• Large community for support

• Many ready-to-use libraries

Things to Keep in Mind

When using React, indie hackers should:

• Be ready to learn new concepts

• Choose the right tools to use with React

• Plan their app structure carefully

React is a good choice for indie hackers who want to build fast, easy-to-maintain web apps. Its large community and many features make it a popular tool for creating user interfaces.

2. Node.js + Express

Node.js + Express is a popular combo for building web apps. Node.js lets you use JavaScript on servers, while Express is a simple framework for making web apps.

Key Features

Here's what Node.js + Express offers:

Feature	Description
Quick	Node.js runs JavaScript fast, and Express is light
Easy to change	Express lets you add different parts as needed
Big community	Lots of people use it, so help is easy to find

Benefits

Using Node.js + Express can help indie hackers:

• Build web apps quickly

• Handle lots of users and data

• Work well with other tools

• Get help from many other users

Things to Think About

When using Node.js + Express, keep in mind:

• You need to know JavaScript well

• You might need to add extra tools for some features

• It can take time to learn all its parts

Node.js + Express is good for making fast web apps that can grow. It's a solid choice if you're comfortable with JavaScript and want to build your product quickly.

3. PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is a free, open-source database system that many indie hackers use. It's known for being reliable and handling large amounts of data well.

Key Features

Here's what PostgreSQL offers:

Feature	What it does
ACID Compliance	Makes sure database actions are done safely
Handles Growth	Works with lots of data and busy apps
Keeps Data Safe	Uses special data types and checks to keep data correct
Can Be Changed	Lets you add your own functions and data types
Protects Data	Has strong safety features, including encryption

Good Things

Using PostgreSQL can help indie hackers:

• Build apps that can grow

• Keep data correct and safe

• Use special data types and functions

• Make apps more secure

• Get help from many other users

Things to Think About

When using PostgreSQL, remember:

• It can be harder to learn than other databases

• You need to set it up carefully to work well

• You might need extra tools for some tasks

PostgreSQL is a strong database system that can help indie hackers build good apps. It has many useful features and a big group of users who can help.

4. GitHub

GitHub is a website where people can work on code together. It's useful for indie hackers building products.

Key Features

Feature	What it does
Version Control	Keeps track of code changes
Open-source	Lets people share and work on projects
Teamwork	Helps many people work on one project
Issue Tracking	Helps find and fix problems
Code Review	Lets people check each other's work

Good Things

Using GitHub can help indie hackers:

• Work with others on projects

• Keep track of code changes

• Share projects and get help

• Make code better by having others look at it

• Keep track of problems and fix them

Things to Think About

When using GitHub, remember:

• It takes time to learn how to use it well

• You need to set up your projects carefully

• You might need to deal with disagreements when working with others

GitHub is a good tool for indie hackers. It helps with working together, keeping track of code, and fixing problems. Many people use it to build and take care of their products.

5. Figma

Figma is a design tool that works in your web browser. It helps indie hackers make designs for their products.

Key Features

Feature	Description
Team Design	Many people can work on the same design at once
Vector Tools	Easy to make and change shapes
Plugins	Add extra tools to help with design
Web-based	Works on any computer with a web browser

Benefits

Figma helps indie hackers:

• Work with others on designs

• Make designs that look good on different screen sizes

• Share designs with developers easily

• Use it on any computer

• Add extra tools with plugins

Things to Think About

When using Figma:

• It takes time to learn how to use it well

• The free plan only lets you make a few designs

• It's important to plan your designs carefully

Figma is a good tool for indie hackers who want to make designs for their products. It's easy to use and lets people work together on designs.

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6. Trello

Trello is a tool that helps indie hackers manage their projects. It uses boards to show work, making it easy to see progress and work with others.

Key Features

Feature	What it does
Boards	Show work and track progress
Cards	Stand for tasks or projects
Lists	Group cards into steps or types
Checklists	Break tasks into smaller parts
Due Dates	Set when tasks need to be done
Team Work	Let others join boards and do tasks

Good Things

Trello helps indie hackers:

• Keep tasks in order

• See how work is going

• Work with team members

• Split big projects into small tasks

• Set times for when work needs to be done

Things to Think About

When using Trello:

• It takes time to set up boards and lists

• The free plan has fewer features

• You need to plan how you'll use it

Trello is good for indie hackers who need to handle many projects and tasks. It's easy to see and use, making it great for teams and solo workers.

7. Google Analytics

Google Analytics helps indie hackers see how people use their websites. It shows you who visits, what they do, and how they act on your site.

Key Features

Feature	What it does
Auto Insights	Finds patterns in your data
Custom Reports	Lets you make your own charts and graphs
Ad Reports	Shows how well your ads work
Events	Tracks everything users do on your site

Good Things

Google Analytics helps indie hackers:

• Know who their users are

• Find parts of their website to fix

• See if their ads are working

• Make choices based on facts

• Make their website better for users

Things to Think About

When using Google Analytics:

• Set it up right to get good data

• Learn how to use the new GA4 version

• Be careful with user data and follow the rules

• Use what you learn to make your product better

Google Analytics is a good tool for indie hackers who want to know more about their users and make their websites better.

8. Intercom

Intercom is a tool that helps indie hackers talk to their customers. It lets them send messages, set up automatic tasks, and help customers when they need it.

Key Features

Feature	What it does
Acquire	Lets you talk to people who visit your website
Resolve	Gives help to customers right in your app
Assign tickets	Lets you give customer questions to different team members
Internal notes	Lets team members leave notes for each other

Good Things

Using Intercom can help indie hackers:

• Talk to customers in a more personal way

• Make helping customers easier

• Work better as a team

Things to Think About

When using Intercom, keep in mind:

• It can be expensive, especially for small teams

• You need to set it up carefully to use all its features

• You need to be careful with customer information

Intercom is a good tool that can help indie hackers talk to customers better, help them faster, and work together more easily.

9. Stripe

Stripe is a tool that helps indie hackers handle online payments. It lets you take payments, send bills, and manage subscriptions.

Key Features

Feature	What it does
Payment Processing	Take online payments from customers
Invoicing	Send bills to customers
Subscriptions	Handle regular payments for ongoing services
Entitlements	Control when customers can use certain features
Trials	Let customers try your service for free
Discounts	Lower prices for your products

Good Things

Using Stripe can help indie hackers:

• Make it easy for customers to pay

• Get regular income from subscriptions

• Save time with automatic billing

• Work with different money types from around the world

Things to Think About

When using Stripe, remember:

• You might need tech skills to set it up

• You have to pay fees for using it

• You need to follow rules about handling money

Stripe is a useful tool that can help indie hackers handle payments better, make customers happy, and grow their businesses.

10. Vercel

Vercel is a tool that helps indie hackers put their web apps online. It makes it easy to get your app up and running without much fuss.

Key Features

Feature	What it does
Auto Builds	Builds your app for you
Always Up-to-Date	Puts new changes online right away
Preview Sites	Shows you how your site looks before it goes live
Easy Fixes	Lets you go back to old versions if something breaks
Updates	Tells you when your app is online or if there's a problem
Fast Loading	Uses servers around the world to make your app load quickly

Good Things

Using Vercel can help indie hackers:

• Spend more time coding and less time setting things up

• Keep their app fresh without extra work

• Fix problems quickly by going back to old versions

• Know what's happening with their app

• Make sure people can use their app quickly no matter where they are

Things to Think About

When using Vercel, keep in mind:

• You might need to know a bit about coding to set it up

• You can use it for free, but you can pay for more features

• It doesn't work with every tool out there

Vercel is a good choice for indie hackers who want to put their web apps online without a lot of extra work.

Wrap-up

We've looked at 10 tools that can help indie hackers build good products. Each tool has its own uses and good points. Here's a quick summary:

Tool	Main Use
React	Making web app interfaces
Node.js + Express	Building web apps
PostgreSQL	Storing data
GitHub	Working on code together
Figma	Designing products
Trello	Managing projects
Google Analytics	Understanding website use
Intercom	Talking to customers
Stripe	Handling payments
Vercel	Putting web apps online

To build a good product:

• Try different tools to find what works for you

• Pick tools that fit how you work

• Use tools that help you focus on making your product better

Remember:

• Building a product takes time and hard work

• The right tools can make your job easier

• Keep working on your product and don't give up