🚀 Stop Wasting Money on App Ads: 15 Proven Ways to Get Free Users in 2025

✨ Excerpt

Most indie devs burn cash on ads and still get no users. Here's how to master free, sustainable app growth with proven strategies that actually work in 2025.

⚡️ Introduction: Ads Are a Trap for Indie Devs

Let’s be honest.

✅ Paid ads are expensive.
✅ Competition is brutal.
✅ Conversion rates are dropping.

Most indie developers blow their budget on Facebook or Google Ads, only to see zero traction and a pitiful ROI.

But here’s the truth:

You don’t need a giant ad budget to get users.

You need smart, organic, sustainable marketing.

This guide reveals 15 proven strategies to get free, high-quality app users in 2025.

No hacks. No spam. Just real methods that work.

✅ 1. Nail Your Value Proposition

Your app's marketing starts with one question:

Why should anyone care?

✅ Solve a clear, painful problem.
✅ Make your promise obvious.
✅ Focus on one audience.

Example:

Bad: “A to-do app for everyone.”
Good: “The fastest to-do app for ADHD users.”

Clear messaging = higher conversions.

✅ 2. Build a Pre-Launch Email List

Don’t wait for launch day to find users.

✅ Build hype in advance.
✅ Use a landing page to capture emails.
✅ Offer beta access, discounts, or exclusive features.

Tools you can use:

Carrd
Mailchimp
ConvertKit

Your email list is your best owned audience.

✅ 3. Start Building in Public

People don’t buy apps.

They buy stories.

✅ Share your journey on X.com, Indie Hackers, LinkedIn.
✅ Post updates, designs, challenges.
✅ Let people feel invested.

Build in public turns strangers into your biggest fans.

✅ 4. Optimize Your App Store Page

Free installs live and die by App Store Optimization (ASO).

✅ Research high-volume, low-competition keywords.
✅ Include them in your title and description.
✅ Use eye-catching icons and screenshots.
✅ Add preview videos.

ASO is free marketing.

Don’t skip it.

✅ 5. Create a Compelling Landing Page

Your app needs a home outside the store.

✅ Explain what it does and why it matters.
✅ Use clear CTAs.
✅ Include social proof (reviews, testimonials).
✅ Collect emails.

This page is where you convert curious visitors into users.

✅ 6. Submit to Discovery Platforms

Product Hunt is a spike.

What about evergreen traffic?

✅ Platforms like Nazca.my offer SEO-optimized listings.
✅ Your app stays discoverable forever.
✅ Update and relaunch whenever you want.

Discovery platforms expand your reach beyond your followers.

✅ 7. Post on Relevant Subreddits

Reddit is a goldmine—if you use it right.

✅ Find subreddits where your audience hangs out.
✅ Be a helpful member.
✅ Share your app naturally (AMA, launch story, discount codes).

Examples:

r/SideProject
r/Entrepreneur
r/IndieDev
r/AndroidApps

But beware: Don't spam.

✅ 8. Leverage Indie Hackers & Maker Communities

Indie Hackers, WIP.chat, and other maker communities love to support launches.

✅ Post your journey.
✅ Ask for feedback.
✅ Share your launch.
✅ Celebrate milestones.

These communities want you to win.

✅ 9. Get Featured in Newsletters

✅ Pitch indie/startup newsletters.
✅ Offer exclusive deals for their readers.
✅ Share your founder story.

Some newsletter ideas:

The Hustle
Indie Hackers Newsletter
Startup Curated
SaaS Weekly

They’re always looking for cool products to share.

✅ 10. Use Social Media Strategically

✅ X.com (Twitter): Build-in-public, share progress, engage with devs.
✅ LinkedIn: Founder story, audience-building for B2B.
✅ Instagram/TikTok: Short demos, behind-the-scenes.

Pick one or two channels and go deep.

✅ 11. Content Marketing (Yes, Even for Apps)

Your app store page has limited words.

Your blog has infinite.

✅ Write posts answering your users’ questions.
✅ Use SEO to target buying intent.
✅ Include CTAs to your app.

Example:

“Best meditation techniques” → Sell your meditation app.

✅ 12. Record Product Demos on YouTube

YouTube is the #2 search engine.

✅ Show exactly how your app works.
✅ Build trust with your face and voice.
✅ Link to your app in the description.

YouTube videos rank for years.

✅ 13. Partner with Other Makers

Indie ≠ alone.

✅ Cross-promote on social.
✅ Bundle your app with theirs.
✅ Guest post on each other’s sites.
✅ Trade email mentions.

Together, you expand each other’s reach for free.

✅ 14. Leverage Reviews and Testimonials

✅ Ask early users for reviews.
✅ Use quotes on your landing page and app store listing.
✅ Share them on social.

Social proof is free persuasion.

People trust other people more than your copy.

✅ 15. Relaunch Over and Over Again

Most indie devs launch once and quit.

✅ New features = new reason to launch.
✅ Major updates = fresh marketing.
✅ Seasonal promos = built-in urgency.

Platforms like Nazca.my let you update your listing for free, anytime.

🎯 The Truth: You Don’t Need Big Money. You Need Smart Marketing.

2025 isn’t about having a $100k ad budget.

✅ It’s about finding your people.
✅ Speaking their language.
✅ Showing real value.

Marketing isn’t a one-time task.

It’s the lifeline of your app.

📈 Build a Sustainable User Acquisition Engine

Imagine this:

✅ SEO bringing daily traffic.
✅ Social posts building hype.
✅ Emails converting readers to users.
✅ Discovery platforms sending steady installs.

No ads. No huge budget. Just smart, repeatable growth.

🚀 Why Nazca.my Should Be Part of Your Plan

Most devs treat Product Hunt as their only launch plan.

✅ One-day spike.
✅ Then nothing.

Nazca.my is built for indie devs who want long-term discoverability:

✅ SEO-friendly, evergreen app listings.
✅ Feedback and reviews.
✅ Easy updates and relaunches.
✅ Free forever.

👉 Submit your app today

💥 Final Words

Stop wasting your limited resources on ads you can’t afford.

✅ Build relationships.
✅ Share your journey.
✅ Be discoverable everywhere.
✅ Use every free marketing channel you can.

Your app deserves better than being invisible.

Grow sustainably.

Launch smart.

Get your app discovered.

👉 Ready to get started?

✅ Submit your app to Nazca for free

Because good apps deserve to be seen. 🚀

Stop Wasting Money on App Ads: 15 Proven Ways to Get Free Users in 2025