The 5 Best Platforms to Get Your First 10 Users and Killer Feedback (2025)

You've shipped your MVP. The code works. The design looks decent. You share it with a few friends, get some polite nods, and then... silence.

Every indie hacker knows this moment. You're not looking for viral fame or Product Hunt's #1 spot. You just need 10 real people to use your app and tell you if you're onto something or wasting your time.

Why exactly 10 users? Because that's the sweet spot where patterns emerge. Three users might all have the same complaint by coincidence. Ten users with the same feedback? That's a signal. You'll find your critical bugs, validate whether you're solving a real problem, and—most importantly—get the confidence to keep building or the clarity to pivot.

But here's the catch: not all users are created equal. Posting your link randomly on social media will get you crickets. You need to go where the early adopters actually hang out—the people who are actively looking for new solutions and excited to give honest feedback.

Understanding Early Adopter Psychology

Before diving into platforms, let's talk about who you're actually looking for.

Early adopters aren't just "users who sign up first." They're a specific breed: tech-savvy, problem-aware, and willing to tolerate imperfection in exchange for solving a real pain point. Research shows they're typically found at the forefront of technology trends, in online communities where innovation is discussed daily, and at events where new ideas are evaluated openly.

They'll forgive bugs if you're responsive. They'll write detailed feedback if you ask thoughtfully. Most importantly, they'll tell you the brutal truth about whether your product actually solves the problem you think it does.

According to data from successful indie launches, positioning yourself as "I built this" instead of presenting a polished company facade makes these users significantly more forgiving and engaged. They understand the journey because many of them are builders too.

The Continuous Launch Philosophy

Here's a mindset shift that changes everything: launching isn't a single event—it's a continuous process.

Y Combinator's research emphasizes that successful startups think about launching repeatedly rather than treating it as a one-time milestone. Your first 10 users are just the opening conversation in a long dialogue with your market.

This approach accomplishes three critical things:

Iterative validation — Each small launch teaches you something. You learn faster by launching imperfectly to small groups than by trying to perfect your product in isolation. Every launch creates a feedback loop that compounds your learning.

Reduced risk — When you treat launch as continuous, no single platform or day determines your fate. You're building momentum across multiple channels rather than betting everything on one big splash.

Compound visibility — Listing your product on multiple directories and communities creates lasting SEO value and discoverability. Unlike a 24-hour Product Hunt spike, these placements continue driving traffic for months or even years.

Now, let's explore exactly where to find those first 10 users.

1. Reddit: r/SideProject — The Brutal Truth Test

Best For: Raw, unfiltered feedback from builders who've walked your path.

Reddit's r/SideProject community has over 500,000 members, most of them indie hackers, makers, and entrepreneurs actively looking for new tools to try. One founder reported receiving over 1,000 unique pageviews and dozens of constructive comments from a single well-crafted post that reached the top of the subreddit.

Why It Works

The community is explicitly built for sharing side projects and receiving feedback. Unlike general subreddits where self-promotion gets buried, r/SideProject exists for exactly this purpose. The users here understand what it's like to build something from scratch—they're inherently more forgiving and more helpful.

The Strategy

Don't just drop a link and run. Redditors can smell low-effort promotion from miles away. Instead:

1. Frame it as a request for feedback: "I built [tool] to solve [problem]. Looking for 10 people to test it and roast my landing page."

2. Be transparent about the stage: Mention that it's an early MVP and you're specifically seeking feedback on [aspect you're uncertain about].

3. Engage with every comment: When someone takes time to critique your work, respond thoughtfully. This engagement often sparks deeper conversations that surface gold-mine insights.

4. Share your reasoning: A sentence or two about why you built this makes your post feel human rather than promotional.

What to Expect

Redditors are brutally honest—and that's exactly what you need right now. Expect tough love. Expect people to point out flaws you missed. If you can win over 10 people in r/SideProject with their high standards and critical eye, you're on the right track.

Related subreddits to explore: r/IMadeThis, r/AlphaandBetausers, r/roastmystartup (for landing page feedback), and r/Entrepreneur (use sparingly and provide genuine value).

The Warning

Avoid clickbait titles or overly promotional language. Positioning like "Revolutionary AI tool" will get downvoted into oblivion. "I made a simple tool to [solve specific problem]—would love your thoughts" performs infinitely better.

2. Indie Hackers — The Long Game with High-Quality Users

Best For: Building relationships with fellow founders and attracting builder-users who give detailed feedback.

Indie Hackers isn't just a launch platform—it's a community where founders share their journeys, metrics, and learnings openly. With dedicated sections for feedback, product launches, and group discussions, it's become a hub for indie makers supporting each other.

Why It's Valuable

Data shows that Indie Hackers delivers 3-8x higher conversion rates than Product Hunt for founder-focused products. But here's the catch: it requires sustained engagement over 4-6 months rather than a single launch event.

The users here are "builder-users"—they'll give you detailed feedback on UX, technical implementation, and business model that standard consumers might miss. They're thinking about your product from both sides: as potential users and as people who've built products themselves.

The Strategy

1. Engage before you launch: Spend a few weeks upvoting thoughtful products, commenting on others' journeys, and sharing your own building process in the forums.

2. Share milestones publicly: Post updates as you hit small wins. "First paying customer" or "Just shipped dark mode" posts generate authentic engagement and build your profile.

3. Use the Product page: Create a dedicated product page for your app. This stays discoverable long after your initial post and continues driving sign-ups.

4. Ask specific questions: Instead of "What do you think?" try "I'm torn between pricing at $9/mo or $29/mo—how would you evaluate this?" Specific questions get specific, actionable answers.

What Makes It Different

Unlike Reddit's one-time feedback burst, Indie Hackers rewards continuous participation. Your first 10 users might come from your initial launch post, but users 11-100 will come from your consistent presence in the community.

Think of it as building an audience rather than executing a launch. The compound effect is real: founders who actively participate for 6+ months report sustained traffic and user acquisition long after their initial posts.

3. BetaList — The Pre-Launch Waiting List Machine

Best For: Building anticipation and collecting emails before your product is fully ready.

Founded in 2010, BetaList has become the go-to platform for early-stage startups to connect with early adopters. If your product is still in private beta or you're a few weeks away from opening to the public, this is your platform.

How It Works

BetaList features startups that are pre-launch or recently launched without substantial press coverage. Users visit the platform specifically to discover upcoming products and gain early access—they're psychologically primed to be your first users.

According to research on successful BetaList launches, founders report gaining their first 100 sign-ups through BetaList placement, which then converts into engaged beta testers and early feedback providers.

The Requirements

To get listed, you need:

• A custom-designed landing page (doesn't need to be fancy, just professional)
• A clear description of what your product does
• A way for people to sign up for early access or beta testing

Pricing and Timeline

BetaList offers both free and paid options. The free submission works, but expect a multi-month waitlist due to backlog. If you need faster placement, paid expedited review starts at $129 and gets you featured within days.

The investment can be worth it if you're approaching a specific launch deadline or need validation quickly for fundraising or strategic decisions.

The Strategy

Frame your listing around the problem, not the solution. Instead of "AI-powered productivity tool," try "Finally track your habits without switching between 5 different apps." Problem-aware language resonates with BetaList's audience who are actively looking for solutions.

Use your beta period wisely: The emails you collect aren't just numbers—they're your first feedback cohort. Send personalized onboarding emails, ask for specific input, and involve them in your development process. These invested early users often become your best advocates when you fully launch.

4. Product Hunt — The Amplification Tool (Not the First Step)

Best For: The "big bang" launch after you've validated with your first users.

Product Hunt is the heavyweight champion of startup launches, but here's what most guides won't tell you: it works best as an amplification tool, not a cold-start mechanism.

The Reality Check

In 2025, the Product Hunt algorithm has become ruthlessly selective. Research shows only 10% of submitted products get manually featured on the homepage. The platform team personally curates what appears, and getting past that filter requires genuine momentum.

Here's the data that matters:

• Products that make it to the homepage can expect 2,000+ unique visitors on launch day
• Top 5 products can gain 10,000+ visitors and hundreds of sign-ups
• Products launching at 12:01 AM Pacific Time get 8.7% more upvotes per hour earlier they launch

But here's the critical insight: Product Hunt amplifies momentum, it doesn't create it. Successful 2025 launches involve teams that already had 400+ engaged users before they hit the "launch" button.

The Strategy

Don't launch here first. Use Reddit, Indie Hackers, and BetaList to get your first 10-50 users, fix critical bugs, and gather testimonials. Then hit Product Hunt when you're ready for scale.

Pre-launch preparation:

1. Build a database of active users who can upvote and comment in the first 4 hours
2. Engage with the community weeks before your launch (upvote, comment, build credibility)
3. Create a compelling demo video or GIF—visual assets dramatically improve engagement
4. Draft your launch description to focus on the problem you solve, not your feature list

Launch day tactics:

• The first 4 hours determine whether you gain algorithmic momentum
• Respond to every comment quickly—engagement signals quality to the algorithm
• Have your team and early supporters ready to create authentic discussion

Managing Expectations

Even landing on the lower end of the homepage is a win. You don't need to be #1 to get value—products ranking #10-#15 still get substantial traffic and credibility.

Think of Product Hunt as graduation day, not orientation. You've already validated your product with real users; now you're introducing it to a wider audience.

5. Niche Launch Directories — The SEO and Long-Tail Play

Best For: Long-term discoverability, backlinks, and reaching specific audiences.

While Product Hunt gives you 24 hours in the spotlight, specialized directories and launch platforms provide lasting visibility that compounds over time.

Why Directories Matter

A comprehensive list of 261+ free launch platforms exists specifically because savvy founders understand the compound effect. Each listing creates:

• A permanent backlink (critical for SEO and domain authority)
• Long-tail search traffic from people specifically looking for solutions like yours
• Credibility signals from being featured in curated collections

Research from AppLauncher.io shows their database of 200+ platforms can be strategically used to streamline launches across multiple channels simultaneously, creating a compounding visibility effect.

Platforms Worth Your Time

Indie Hackers:

• Specifically designed for independent developers
• Community-focused with engaged builders who provide detailed feedback
• Less of a billboard, more of a supportive hub

Open Hunts:

• Product Hunt alternative with 14.3% conversion rates
• Free launch option with less algorithmic gatekeeping
• Focused on sustained visibility rather than single-day rankings

Specialized SaaS directories:

• SaaSHub, GetApp, Capterra (for B2B products)
• Startup directories and launch platforms
• Tool-specific directories based on your category (design tools, developer tools, etc.)

The Strategy

Submit widely, but customize each listing. Copy-pasting the same description everywhere looks lazy and doesn't optimize for each platform's specific audience. Spend 10 minutes tailoring your description to match each directory's tone and user expectations.

Track which platforms drive actual users, not just traffic. Use UTM parameters in your links to see which directories convert visitors into sign-ups. Some platforms will drive hundreds of visitors who bounce; others will send 20 visitors who all convert. Focus your energy on the latter.

Think in months, not days. Directory placements continue generating traffic 6-12 months after submission. This is the opposite of social media posts that disappear in 24 hours.

The Continuous Launch Strategy: Putting It All Together

Here's how successful indie hackers structure their first user acquisition:

Week 1-2: Soft Launch

• Post in r/SideProject with a transparent "I built this, need feedback" approach
• Submit to 5-10 specialized directories that match your niche
• Share in relevant Discord/Slack communities where you're already a member

Goal: 5-10 users, identify critical bugs

Week 3-4: Community Engagement

• Create an Indie Hackers product page and share your first metrics
• Submit to BetaList (or expedite if you're in a hurry)
• Engage meaningfully in communities, sharing learnings from your first users

Goal: 20-50 users, validate core value proposition

Week 5-8: Optimization and Expansion

• Fix major issues surfaced by early users
• Gather testimonials and use cases
• Submit to 20-30 more directories using a spreadsheet to track
• Continue posting updates on Indie Hackers

Goal: 100-200 users, flatten your retention curve

Week 9+: Amplification

• Launch on Product Hunt with an engaged base ready to support
• Reach out to relevant newsletters, podcasts, communities
• Create content around the problem you solve

Goal: 1,000+ users, sustainable acquisition channels

Common Mistakes That Kill Momentum

Even with the right platforms, these mistakes can sabotage your first user acquisition:

Launching before you can articulate your value clearly. If you can't explain what you do in one sentence, neither can your users. Fix your positioning before you launch anywhere.

Treating feedback as optional. When someone takes time to critique your product, they're giving you free consulting. Engage thoughtfully with every piece of feedback, even if you disagree.

Posting and ghosting. If you share your product in a community and then disappear, users assume it's abandoned. Engagement signals that you're building for the long haul.

Optimizing for vanity metrics over real engagement. 1,000 visitors who bounce immediately is worse than 50 visitors who sign up and stick around. Track what matters: sign-ups, activation rates, retention.

Launching everywhere at once without the capacity to respond. Better to launch on 3 platforms and engage deeply than 20 platforms and go silent when feedback floods in.

Measuring Success: Beyond "10 Users"

Getting 10 users to try your product is the first milestone. But not all "users" provide equal value. Here's what to actually measure:

Activation rate: What percentage of sign-ups complete your core action? If 10 people sign up but only 2 complete onboarding, you have an onboarding problem, not an acquisition problem.

Feedback quality: Did you get actionable, specific feedback or vague "looks cool" comments? Measure whether you can identify 3-5 clear improvement opportunities from your first 10 users.

Return rate: How many of your first 10 users came back without a reminder? Day 1 return rates around 30% signal genuine interest.

Willingness to pay signals: Even if you're not charging yet, are users asking about pricing? Offering to pay early? These wallet signals validate real value creation.

Your Move

The platforms exist. The communities are waiting. The only missing ingredient is you taking the first step.

Start with one platform—whichever feels most aligned with where your target users hang out. Don't try to launch everywhere simultaneously. Launch on Reddit this week, set up your Indie Hackers page next week, submit to directories the week after.

Remember: you're not looking for perfection. You're looking for 10 real people to tell you if you're onto something. Those 10 conversations will teach you more than 100 hours of planning ever could.

When you're ready to create lasting visibility beyond the 24-hour launch cycle, consider platforms that combine immediate exposure with long-term SEO value. Building discoverability takes time, but it compounds.

Your first 10 users are out there. Now you know exactly where to find them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a perfect product before getting my first users?

No—and waiting for perfection is one of the biggest mistakes founders make. Your first 10 users should see an MVP that solves one core problem well, but it doesn't need polish. Early adopters in communities like r/SideProject and Indie Hackers actually prefer seeing products in their raw state because they can influence the direction. Ship when your core feature works reliably, not when everything is perfect.

How do I handle negative feedback from my first users?

Negative feedback is gold—it's the entire point of getting early users. When someone tells you what's broken, frustrating, or confusing, they're doing free product consulting. Thank them specifically, ask follow-up questions to understand the root issue, and let them know when you've implemented their suggestion. The users who complained and saw you fix their issue often become your most loyal advocates.

Should I offer incentives to get my first 10 users?

Generally no. Users who sign up for discounts or giveaways give different feedback than users who have the problem you're solving. For your first 10, you want problem-aware people who will use the product because they need it, not because you're paying them. The exception: offering early supporters lifetime discounts or "founding member" pricing can work if it's positioned as reward for taking a risk on you, not as the primary motivation.

What if I launch and get zero users?

First, verify you're launching in the right places. If you posted to r/SideProject on a Tuesday afternoon with "Check out my app" and a link, you launched wrong—not in the wrong place, but with the wrong approach. Try again with a story about the problem you're solving and an explicit request for feedback. Second, if you've genuinely launched on multiple platforms with solid positioning and gotten zero interest, that's actually valuable data. Either the problem you're solving isn't painful enough, or the people with that problem aren't in those communities. Time to talk to potential users directly and validate whether the problem exists.

How long should I spend trying to get my first 10 users before pivoting?

If you've been actively launching and engaging on the right platforms for 4-6 weeks with zero traction, it's time to reassess. But "actively" is key—one Reddit post and a Product Hunt launch isn't active engagement. You should be posting in multiple communities, responding to every comment, iterating based on feedback, and genuinely participating in conversations. If you've done all that and still can't find 10 people interested enough to try your product, the issue is likely product-market fit, not distribution.