13 Mac App Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]

Updated: July 23rd, 2023

Interested in starting a mac app business in 2024?

We put together 13 of the best mac app businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other mac app businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a file sharing app business

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 440 days (?)

2. Start a quick note app business

Pushed for time but need to jot down ideas on the fly? Consider launching a quick note app business. At its core, this venture revolves around developing a streamlined, intuitive application that allows users to capture, organize, and access their notes in seconds.

Imagine providing a tool that students, professionals, and creatives can't do without. The appeal lies in solving a common problem: the frustration of losing track of spontaneous thoughts and essential information.

The app can feature cloud integration, voice recognition, and seamless syncing across devices. While it demands a solid grasp of app development and UX design, the scalability and demand are promising. Begin by exploring popular note-taking apps, identify their gaps, and think about how yours can stand out.

For those looking to bridge a ubiquitous need with a sleek technology solution, a quick note app business offers an enticing opportunity.

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 188 days (?)

3. Start an everyday communication app business

4. Start a grammar checking app business

How much you can make: $50,000/month

Our AI Writing Tool Won 'Startup Of The Year' And Has Customers In More Than 150 Countries

InstaText is an AI-based online writing assistant that helps non-native speakers improve their English, with over half a million active users from 150 countries worldwide, bootstrapped from $0 to $50k monthly revenue in two years and quadrupled their sales in 2021, becoming Slovenian Startup of the Year and expanding to web applications and browser extensions.

Read by 4,038 founders

5. Start a social media app business

In today's digital age, launching a social media app is an exciting opportunity with immense potential.

At its core, this business idea involves creating a platform where users can connect, share, and interact with content from around the world. Whether it's focused on niche communities or broad audiences, your app could fill existing market gaps or offer unique features that current platforms lack.

The market for social media is continually evolving, driven by trends and user behavior. Building a successful app requires thorough market research, innovative design, and a clear monetization strategy through ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. The development phase will involve hiring skilled developers or partnering with a tech firm, alongside an effective marketing plan to attract and retain users.

This venture appeals particularly to those with a passion for tech and community-building. It offers both challenges and rewards, promising a dynamic and potentially lucrative journey. If you’re ready to innovate and adapt, a social media app can be a compelling business to develop.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $99,996/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

How Davis Baer Used Unorthodox Marketing To Reach $1,000 MRR

OneUp is a social media scheduling tool that helps businesses make more money by automating time-consuming tasks, allowing you to schedule Google My Business, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn posts, with the unique feature of allowing for posts to be set on repeat automatically.

Read by 7,377 founders

6. Start an email app business

Tired of cluttered inboxes and inefficient email management? An email app business might be the solution. This idea involves developing an application to streamline email communication, sorting, and organization.

You'll be creating a platform that offers users intelligent filtering, prioritization, and perhaps even AI-driven responses. This addresses a real need in a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, making it a venture with significant potential.

Building and launching this app requires a solid understanding of software development, user interface design, and market research. You'll also need to focus on features that set your product apart from established competitors like Gmail and Outlook.

With the increasing demand for efficient communication tools, an innovative email app can capture a substantial market share and provide a valuable service to both individuals and businesses.

How much you can make: $21 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Built Our App From The Back Of A Bus And Grew It To 10,000 Users

Leave Me Alone, a web service that helps users easily unsubscribe from unwanted emails, launched in January 2019 and made $1,186 in revenue in its first month, with a successful Product Hunt launch and a focus on being an open startup contributing to its success.

Read by 13,351 founders

7. Start a time reminder app business

Struggling to stay on top of your busy schedule? Consider launching a time reminder app business. This venture involves creating a mobile application that helps users manage their time effectively by sending reminders for important tasks and events.

Your customers would benefit from personalized notification settings, integration with calendars, and customizable task lists. The increasing demand for productivity tools offers a huge opportunity for market penetration. Developing such an app requires a solid understanding of software development and user experience design.

This business idea stands out as it addresses a universal problem: time management. If you're tech-savvy and have an eye for detail, a time reminder app could be both a rewarding and impactful business to start. This could be your chance to make a positive difference in people's lives, helping them to stay organized and stress-free. Consider diving into this promising business opportunity to tap into a growing market.

How much you can make: $1 — $850/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

On Developing A Notification Tool For Muslim Voluntary Deeds

Sunnah Helper is a multilingual mobile application that serves the Muslim community, offering notifications for voluntary and obligatory prayers and more, with AdMob monetization earning an estimated $4-5 per month and plans for iOS widget implementation.

Read by 6,230 founders

8. Start a CRM app business

Struggling to manage customer interactions effectively? Consider starting a CRM app business. A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management app, helps businesses streamline communications, track leads, and nurture customer relationships—all from one central platform.

Imagine providing businesses with the tools they need to boost their sales and improve customer satisfaction. With more companies shifting their focus to personalized customer experience, your CRM app could be the key to unlocking their success.

The path to developing a CRM app involves defining core features, collaborating with skilled developers, and implementing marketing strategies to capture your target market. It's a legwork-intensive venture, but the potential payoff is substantial.

Ready to create a tool that businesses can't live without? Dive into the CRM app market, where the intersection of technology and customer relationship management holds unlimited possibilities for growth and innovation.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $375,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

On Starting A $160K/Month CRM & Automations Company After A US Air Force Career

GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.

Read by 12,017 founders

9. Start a background sounds app business

Is everyday noise distracting your focus? Consider launching a background sounds app. This app would provide a variety of ambient and soothing sounds designed to boost concentration, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.

The main idea is simple: create an app offering high-quality background sounds like rain, forest, and waves. Users can personalize their listening experience by combining sounds or setting timers.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the appeal lies in its simplicity and the rising demand for mindfulness and productivity tools. Building the app involves collaboration with sound designers and developers, along with effective marketing strategies to attract a user base.

This business idea taps into the wellness trend and presents a scalable opportunity with subscription models or in-app purchases. If you’re intrigued by the intersection of technology and well-being, this could be the perfect venture to explore.

How much you can make: $24,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

I Turned My Side Hustle Into A $360K/Year Business Designing Augmented Reality Experiences

Soundwave Art, founded by Mike LaTour, offers customers the ability to turn their voice or any sound into an augmented reality experience through their mobile app, giving them the ability to create personalized jewelry and artwork that is totally unique.

Read by 4,397 founders

10. Start a timezone app business

Have you ever found it challenging to coordinate with a global team across multiple time zones? Starting a timezone app business could be your solution.

This app would serve as an intuitive platform for managing appointments, meetings, and deadlines by automatically converting times across different zones. It could include features like calendar integration, notifications, and even daylight saving time adjustments, making global communication smoother and more efficient.

Given the increasing trend of remote work and global partnerships, this tool could rapidly attract users who need to manage their time more effectively. Starting this business involves app development skills, market research, and ongoing customer support. If you're tech-savvy and passionate about improving productivity, this could be a lucrative, rewarding venture.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,833,333/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

I Bootstrapped A $120K/Year Business Management SaaS From Pakistan

Agiled is a bootstrapped business management software company founded by Asad Ali that has generated $10k/month serving over 5,000 companies, with a goal of reaching $100k MRR by the end of next year.

Read by 5,750 founders

11. Start a billing and invoice app business

Tired of managing messy invoices and billing errors? A billing and invoice app could be your next business venture. This app simplifies the invoicing process by automating the creation, sending, and tracking of invoices. Tailored for small business owners and freelancers, it ensures you're paid accurately and on time without the hassle of manual entry.

Developing this app involves market research, design, and coding, followed by testing and refinement to ensure it meets users' needs. Once launched, continuous updates and customer support will keep your clients satisfied and your business thriving.

In an era where time is money, such an app will save countless hours and reduce stress for business owners. If you’re tech-savvy and have an eye for detail, starting a billing and invoice app business could be the rewarding challenge you're looking for.

How much you can make: $850 — $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How These Two Brothers Built A Time Tracking And Invoicing App

HoursLogger, a time tracking and invoicing app, was founded by two brothers who started the business as a side project over 6 years ago and made around $9k in passive income last year, with the app in a great position to grow.

Read by 5,777 founders

12. Start a free wallpaper app business

Stuck on the next big app idea? Consider developing a free wallpaper app. This business revolves around providing users with a vast collection of high-quality wallpapers for their mobile devices, at no cost.

You'll need to curate and create visually appealing wallpapers, optimize the app for user experience, and focus on monetization strategies like in-app advertisements and premium content purchases. The draw of personalized and fresh backgrounds can attract a large user base, making your app a potential hot spot for advertisers.

Such an app requires creativity in design and smart marketing to stand out in the crowded app market. If you’re intrigued by the blend of tech and aesthetics, a free wallpaper app offers an exciting avenue with low startup costs but significant potential for growth and user engagement.

13. Start a random password generator app business

A password generator is a software tool that creates random or customized user passwords.

With many people using online platforms to access services and shop, people often have to develop new passwords to ensure authorized access to programs.

Managing many passwords for identity and access management could be challenging.

Therefore, the use of password generators has become popular. The most significant advantage of using the password generator is users do not need prior knowledge or too many steps to remember. Popular password generators include:

  • Dashlane: Password Manager App for Home, Mobile, Business.
  • 1Password: Allows users to log in to sites and fill forms securely with a single click.
  • RoboForm: Securely stores all of your passwords and logs users in with a single click.
  • LastPass: Save a password once, and it’s instantly available on a single device type for Free.
  • NordPass: Secure way to remember passwords.

Therefore, if you are interested in starting a web security-related business, creating a password generator can be a lucrative venture.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.