Stop Spending on Ads: 21 Free Ways to Get App Downloads in 2025
🚀 Stop Spending on Ads: 21 Free Ways to Get App Downloads in 2025
✨ Excerpt
Don’t have a big marketing budget? You don’t need one. Use these 21 proven, free strategies to drive real installs, build an audience, and grow your app sustainably in 2025.
Most indie developers think marketing = buying ads.
And sure, ads work... if you have a massive budget.
But what if you're solo, bootstrapped, or just want better ROI?
Good news: You can get thousands of free downloads if you’re smart.
Here’s your 2025 playbook: 21 proven, zero-budget ways to grow your app.
✅ 1. Nail Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
Don’t be another generic app.
✅ Define exactly who you help.
✅ Define exactly how you help them better than competitors.
Your UVP is the hook that makes people care.
👉 Without this, all marketing fails.
✅ 2. Build a Landing Page Before You Launch
Stop waiting for the App Store.
✅ Create a simple, clear website with:
- Headline explaining your UVP
- Screenshots or mockups
- Email signup
Tools? Carrd, Webflow, Framer.
👉 Submit your landing page on Nazca for early feedback.
✅ 3. Use Nazca.my for Evergreen Discovery
Most app directories give you one day of hype.
Nazca.my is evergreen.
✅ SEO-indexed listing
✅ Comment-based feedback
✅ Ability to update any time
✅ 4. Build in Public on Twitter/X
Building in public is the indie dev superpower.
✅ Share your roadmap.
✅ Post challenges.
✅ Engage with your audience.
✅ Launch with real fans.
#BuildInPublic isn’t a trend. It’s traction.
✅ 5. Post on IndieHackers
IndieHackers is where bootstrappers and devs hang out.
✅ Share your launch story.
✅ Ask for feedback.
✅ Offer real value.
Be authentic. People love to support indie devs.
✅ 6. Leverage Reddit (The Smart Way)
Reddit hates spam, loves transparency.
✅ Post in r/Entrepreneur, r/SideProject, r/IndieDev.
✅ Share your journey.
✅ Ask for feedback, don’t just drop links.
✅ Build karma to be trusted.
✅ 7. Write SEO-Optimized Blog Posts
Blogging isn’t dead.
✅ Target keywords like “best budgeting app” or “free meditation app.”
✅ Offer genuine value.
✅ Include links to your app and Nazca listing.
SEO compounds over time.
✅ 8. Use YouTube for Demo Videos
YouTube is the world’s #2 search engine.
✅ Record a short app demo.
✅ Explain your UVP.
✅ Add links in the description.
People trust video more than screenshots.
✅ 9. Create a Press Kit
Make it easy for others to write about you.
✅ Logo
✅ Screenshots
✅ Short description
✅ Long description
✅ Contact info
✅ Host on your site or your Nazca listing.
✅ 10. Get Listed on AlternativeTo
AlternativeTo is where users search for app replacements.
✅ Add your app as an alternative to big players.
✅ Free traffic forever.
Users love discovering new tools here.
✅ 11. Offer Early Access Incentives
Get people on your waitlist with perks.
✅ Discounted lifetime pricing
✅ Exclusive features
✅ Early user badge
Early adopters feel invested.
✅ 12. Partner with Other Indie Devs
✅ Cross-promote apps in your niche.
✅ Bundle deals.
✅ Guest posts on each other’s blogs.
✅ Mutual shout-outs on social.
You’re not competing. You’re collaborating.
✅ 13. Engage in Slack & Discord Communities
Thousands of active channels for devs, designers, and niche users.
✅ Join relevant groups.
✅ Share your process.
✅ Answer questions.
✅ Drop your app when appropriate.
Build trust, not spam.
✅ 14. Collect and Use User Feedback
✅ Add a feedback form in-app.
✅ Use Nazca’s comment section.
✅ Monitor reviews.
Listen. Improve. Relaunch.
Happy users = organic growth.
✅ 15. Get Featured on Nazca’s Homepage
Nazca highlights top apps with strong listings.
✅ Keep your description clear.
✅ Add great screenshots.
✅ Engage with feedback.
Featured spots = free installs.
✅ 16. Relaunch with Updates
Most devs launch once and quit.
✅ Add new features.
✅ Share the news everywhere.
✅ Update your Nazca listing.
Each relaunch = new marketing wave.
✅ 17. Use Product Hunt—But Don’t Rely on It
Product Hunt is great, but crowded.
✅ Plan launch carefully.
✅ Engage the PH community first.
✅ Promote on Nazca as a permanent alternative.
Don’t bet everything on one day of hype.
✅ 18. Offer a Free Plan or Trial
Lower the barrier to install.
✅ Free tier
✅ Free trial
✅ Freemium with upgrades
People try before they buy. Make it easy.
✅ 19. Create Shareable Content
✅ Memes about your niche.
✅ Short TikToks.
✅ Infographics.
✅ Case studies.
Viral content spreads your link organically.
✅ 20. Build an Email List Early
Email converts better than social.
✅ Waitlist signups
✅ Weekly dev updates
✅ Beta invites
Your list = direct line to fans.
✅ 21. Embrace Continuous Discovery
✅ Keep marketing even after launch.
✅ Relaunch every month.
✅ Improve your app.
✅ Update your Nazca listing.
Discovery isn’t a one-day event. It’s a habit.
📈 Why Nazca.my Should Be Your #1 Free Growth Channel
✅ SEO-friendly listing.
✅ Evergreen exposure.
✅ Feedback comments.
✅ Relist and relaunch anytime.
✅ Perfect for indie apps, SaaS, AI tools.
🎯 TL;DR – 21 Free Ways to Get App Downloads
✅ Nail your UVP
✅ Build a landing page
✅ Submit to Nazca
✅ Build in public
✅ IndieHackers, Reddit, Slack
✅ SEO & YouTube
✅ AlternativeTo
✅ Relaunch constantly
Stop buying ads. Start getting organic growth.
🏁 Ready to Get Started?
Don’t wait for luck or approvals.
✅ Build your audience.
✅ Validate your idea.
✅ Grow sustainably.
👉 Submit your app to Nazca.my today
It’s free. It’s forever. And it’s built for indie devs. 🚀
fAdnim
Author at Nazca. Passionate about creating exceptional mobile applications and sharing knowledge with the developer community.
