Finding great solo dev studios: How Code and Sea is building privacy-first tools without monthly subscriptions

I spend a lot of time browsing indie projects and developer portfolios, and recently I stumbled across an independent UK software studio that really caught my attention: Code and Sea.

With so much modern software turning into bloated micro-SaaS with endless monthly subscriptions, it is refreshing to see an indie studio actively pushing back against software rental fatigue.

The studio is run by a solo developer building in public along the UK coast, focusing entirely on simple, privacy-first digital tools that carry zero tracking scripts and no unnecessary bloat.

Here is a quick look at the products currently in the portfolio:

Transcendence (iOS & iPadOS): A dedicated, minimalist Transcendental Meditation timer. Unlike the big meditation apps on the App Store that lock basic timers behind expensive recurring subs and fill the screen with guided audio clutter, this app keeps things clean, quiet, and completely offline.

Tidal Draft (Chrome Extension & Figma Plugin): A neat design workflow utility that converts live web pages into fully editable Figma designs. Instead of charging a hefty monthly retainer, it runs on a straightforward pay-as-you-go model, which makes a ton of sense for freelance designers and product teams who only need page captures occasionally.

What stood out to me from an Indie Hackers perspective is the deliberate decision to stay lean, prioritize user privacy, and avoid standard software bloat. The studio focuses on one-time payments and usage-based models rather than forcing recurring subscriptions on simple utilities.

You can check out their work and philosophy directly at https://codeandsea.com/.

I am curious to hear what other makers here think: Are we going to see a bigger shift back to flat-fee or pay-as-you-go pricing for utility software as subscription fatigue continues to grow?