What We Learned from Shipping 3 MVPs in 3 Months: Lessons for Indie Hackers

Shipping a minimum viable product (MVP) is a rite of passage for many indie hackers. But doing it three times in three months? That’s a different beast entirely. In 2026, we took the plunge and learned some hard truths about the process, the tools, and the trade-offs involved. Here’s what we discovered.

The Timeline: How We Did It

We started with a tight schedule. Each MVP had to be shipped in a month, which meant we had to be laser-focused. Here’s how we broke it down:

• Month 1: MVP 1 - A simple task management tool for freelancers.
• Month 2: MVP 2 - A budgeting app for side hustlers.
• Month 3: MVP 3 - A community platform for indie hackers.

Each project was a sprint, and we had to iterate quickly based on user feedback.

Tools We Used and Why

Choosing the right tools was critical to our success. Here’s a breakdown of the tools we relied on, including their pricing and limitations.

| Tool | What It Does | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Figma | Design UI/UX prototypes | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Mockups and prototypes | Limited collaboration in free tier | We use Figma for design work. | | Notion | All-in-one workspace | Free tier + $8/mo pro | Documentation & planning| Can get cluttered with large projects| Great for project management. | | Bubble | No-code app builder | Free tier + $29/mo pro | Building web apps | Learning curve for complex apps | Used it for our MVP 1. | | Zapier | Automation tool | Free tier + $19.99/mo | Connecting apps | Limited by task volume on free tier| Essential for automating tasks. | | Stripe | Payment processing | $0-0.30 + 2.9% per transaction | Handling payments | International fees can add up | We use it for all transactions. | | GitHub | Version control and collaboration | Free tier + $4/mo | Code management | Not ideal for non-developers | Crucial for code collaboration. | | Airtable | Database with spreadsheet interface | Free tier + $10/mo pro | Organizing data | Limited features on free tier | Used it for MVP 2 data tracking.| | Slack | Team communication | Free tier + $6.67/mo | Team chats | Message history limited in free tier| Vital for team discussions. | | Google Analytics | Website analytics | Free | Tracking user behavior | Can be overwhelming for beginners | Important for tracking usage. | | Trello | Task management | Free tier + $10/mo pro | Visual project tracking | Limited features on free tier | We used it for MVP task tracking. | | Webflow | No-code website builder | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Building landing pages | Steeper learning curve for complex sites | Used for MVP landing pages. | | Postman | API testing | Free tier + $12/mo pro | API development | Limited collaboration on free tier | Great for testing integrations. | | Canva | Graphic design | Free tier + $12.95/mo pro| Quick graphics | Limited capabilities for advanced design | We used it for marketing materials. | | Mailchimp | Email marketing | Free tier + $11/mo | Email campaigns | Pricing can escalate with list size | Used for our launch emails. | | Typeform | Interactive forms | Free tier + $35/mo pro | User feedback | Limited features on free tier | Great for collecting user insights. |

What We Actually Use

We heavily relied on Figma, Bubble, and Notion for our MVPs. Figma helped us iterate on designs quickly, Bubble allowed us to build functional prototypes without diving into code, and Notion kept our project planning organized.

What Worked and What Didn’t

Successes:

• Rapid Prototyping: Using Bubble allowed us to test our ideas quickly. The no-code approach reduced development time significantly.
• User Feedback: We gathered user feedback early and often, which helped us pivot in real-time.
• Team Communication: Slack kept our team aligned and responsive, which was crucial during our tight timelines.

Failures:

• Overcomplicating Features: We learned that trying to add too many features in the first iteration can lead to scope creep. Keeping it simple is key.
• Underestimating Marketing: We didn’t allocate enough time for marketing our MVPs, which impacted initial user acquisition.
• Burnout: The pace was relentless. We didn’t prioritize downtime, which affected our productivity in the long run.

Actionable Lessons for Indie Hackers

1. Start Simple: Focus on the core functionality that solves a specific problem. Avoid feature bloat.
2. Iterate Quickly: Use no-code tools to prototype and test your ideas. Get user feedback as early as possible.
3. Prioritize Marketing: Don’t neglect your marketing strategy. Build in time to promote your MVP.
4. Take Breaks: Avoid burnout. Schedule downtime to recharge and maintain productivity.
5. Collaborate Effectively: Use tools like Notion and Slack to keep your team organized and aligned.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're an indie hacker looking to ship your MVP, begin with a clear focus on your core idea. Leverage no-code tools to simplify the development process and actively seek user feedback to iterate. Remember to balance speed with quality and take care of your team’s well-being to sustain your efforts.

For more insights on our journey and practical advice from our experiences, tune into our podcast at Built This Week.