The archive · Consumer Apps · Product decision · 2023–2026
Quiche bet a solo, user-funded iPhone browser could out-craft Safari
One developer built Quiche from scratch for his own minimalist browsing, launched via Show HN on 2023-07-23 (226 points), and funds it by subscribers.
Quiche Browser
What the business is
Quiche Browser is an independent iPhone browser built entirely from scratch by one developer: users can place and theme every toolbar and menu button, ads, trackers and cookie banners are blocked by default, dark mode can be forced on any website, and there is no telemetry, account or backend. It is monetized by Quiche PLUS subscriptions ($3.99/month or $29.99/year) plus optional one-off tips.
How it started
In early 2023, developer Gregory de Jonckheere decided to build an iOS browser with deep customization to fit his own usage and visual preferences. He used it as his default browser for about six months before launching, tailoring a compact toolbar with new-tab, close-tab and tab-list buttons, a bottom address bar, left-hand-friendly layouts, a full-black dark toolbar, and tabs sorted by estimated read time. The app shipped with no analytics, no account creation and no backend, and stayed closed-source but inspectable through Safari's developer tools.
What happened
The Show HN went up on 2023-07-23 and drew 226 points with 174 comments. Demand concentrated on ad blocking, reader mode, tab-swiping and iPad support; the developer answered in-thread, said he had shipped quickly to get user feedback, and the store's release log shows blockers, website darkening, comfort mode, SearXNG and Kagi search and more arriving over the following years. The listing later carried quotes from Daring Fireball, The Verge, MacStories, 9to5Mac and Lifehacker, and monetization settled into Quiche PLUS ($3.99/month or $29.99/year) plus optional tips, with the store copy stressing no investors and 100% user funding.
How it ended up
Still running as of 2026-09-05: the App Store listing shows 802 ratings at 4.9, an update cadence continuing through v1.73.3 (2026-08-15), an iPad beta via TestFlight, and a macOS version on the roadmap — still a single-developer, subscription-funded operation.
Background
Quiche Browser is an independent iPhone browser built entirely from scratch by a single developer, Gregory de Jonckheere, and sold with no investors, no search-engine deals and no data monetization. Users can place and theme every toolbar and menu button, block ads, trackers and cookie banners by default, force dark mode on any website, and browse with no account, telemetry or backend; Quiche PLUS subscriptions ($3.99/month or $29.99/year) and optional tips fund development.
The project began in early 2023 as a browser for de Jonckheere himself: after about six months of daily use he launched it on the App Store, having tailored a compact toolbar with close-tab and tab-list buttons, a bottom address bar, left-hand-friendly layouts, a full-black dark toolbar and tabs sorted by estimated read time. The July 2023 Show HN made the personal framing explicit — a customizable iOS browser for minimalists and himself.
The bet was that craftsmanship and independence beat platform defaults: the Show HN drew 226 points and 174 comments on 2023-07-23, with the loudest requests being ad blocking, reader mode, tab swiping and iPad support, most of which later shipped. By the 2026-09-05 crawl the App Store listing showed 802 ratings at 4.9, quotes from Daring Fireball, The Verge, MacStories, 9to5Mac and Lifehacker, and an update cadence running past v1.73.3 (2026-08-15), with an iPad beta in TestFlight and a macOS version on the roadmap.
What has to be true
- Dated, checkable traction: 226 points and 174 comments on the 2023-07-23 Show HN (item 36834732), and 802 ratings at 4.9 on the App Store by the 2026-09-05 crawl.
- A falsifiable independence bet: no investors, search deals or data monetization, with revenue explicitly from subscriptions and tips — visible in the store copy.
- A narrow wedge with follow-through: iPhone-only and hand-built, releasing blockers, darkening, comfort mode and search-engine options the launch thread demanded.
- Solo sustainability evidence: one developer kept shipping from 2023 to v1.73.3 in August 2026 while the product stayed free-tier plus subscription.
What can be applied
A browser nobody owns can still win a niche: stay narrow, let users reshape the interface, keep privacy absolute, and let subscriptions fund the roadmap instead of advertisers.
Aftermath
As of 2026-09-05 Quiche Browser is live and still a one-person operation: the App Store listing shows 802 ratings at 4.9, releases through v1.73.3 (2026-08-15), an iPad beta open by TestFlight invitation, and a stated plan to start work on a macOS version. The store copy still promises zero tracking, no sign-up, no investor pressure, and 100% user funding through Quiche PLUS subscriptions and optional tips.
Sources
- Quiche Browser on the App Store (listing, ratings and version history)
- Show HN: I made a customizable iOS browser for minimalists and myself
spotted an error? The archive wants to know.
Your turn
You just read one. Describe what you are building, and see who is betting on the same thing.
Free account · 3 free questions · no card