I read this statement recently and, I’ll admit, the argument was solid: “If I see an app I like, I open Cursor, use an LLM and it builds it for me in two clicks. Why would I pay for that?”

And it’s true. But it’s a truth that only exists inside our bubble.

The tech bubble

For us, engineers and devs, the barrier to entry for building software has dropped dramatically. If something bothers me on Mac, I can create a script or a quick little app to fix it. If I need an automation, I put one together in minutes. If I want to test an idea, I have a prototype running before lunch.

But we forget that we live in a parallel universe.

The real world

99% of people don’t know what an LLM is. They don’t use Cursor. They don’t want to learn how to “prompt.” And they definitely won’t maintain any code.

These people just want their problem solved. They want to download, tap, and have it work. No friction, no terminal, no configuration. They don’t care how the sausage is made. They just want it on the plate.

And you know what’s funny? This audience is huge. Like, absurdly huge.

The irony

While some are declaring the end of indie apps because “anyone can code now,” the opportunity has never been bigger. Think about it: we now have super-powered tools to build robust solutions, fast, with quality. And we can deliver that to millions of people who have zero interest in learning to code.

The solo dev in 2026 has a power that didn’t exist before. They can do the work of an entire team with the right tools. But that power is only worth something if you point it in the right direction.

Don’t fall for this trap

Building only for other devs is comfortable. They understand what you did, appreciate the architecture, star your GitHub repo. But the real world still needs, desperately, well-made software.

People out there have real problems waiting for simple solutions. And now you have the tools to solve those problems faster than ever. That’s the real opportunity.