From Zero to 4k Github ⭐️ in One Year: Building a Typeform Killer!

Over the past year, my team and I have been on an exhilarating journey crafting Formbricks, an open-source survey toolbox.

The initial vision was to create a pure open-source alternative to Typeform, with the core goal of giving everyone the freedom to run their surveys, understand their users deeply, and retain full control over their data and infrastructure.

Now we have grown to a solid user base, gone through the first batch of the GitHub Accelerator program, and built a GitHub project with nearly 4k GitHub stars — and still growing fast.

Insights from Our Journey:

1. Embracing the Open Source Model:

This is our first foray into building and nurturing an open-source startup, and the experience has been transformative. We've found immense joy in fostering a vibrant community.

The immediate feedback loop in the open-source world is unparalleled. It's fascinating how swiftly and transparently you receive product feedback, a process that often feels protracted and obscure in closed-source environments.

2. Understanding User Needs:

While many loved the idea of an open-source alternative, a significant number expressed the need to survey their users directly within their software products.

The feedback highlighted how crucial in-app surveys can be to achieve higher conversion rates and better user understanding.

3. The Challenge of Perception:

Even with the traction we gained, there was a common misconception. Many equated "open source" with "free," seeking a cheaper or entirely free alternative to Typeform.

While our goal was to provide a powerful open-source solution, sustainability was also crucial for us. It wasn't just about creating free software; it was about creating a lasting and sustainable tool for businesses.

4. Pivoting with Purpose:

To address this challenge, we rolled up our sleeves and conducted numerous user interviews. Speaking to businesses and founders of rapidly growing startups, we realized that there was a need for highly targeted in-app micro-surveys.

These helped to counteract survey fatigue and offered a fresh approach. This insight paved the way for a more distinct value proposition.

5. Iterative Rebuilds are Okay:

Armed with this new knowledge, we undertook the challenging task of rebuilding Formbricks from scratch. The goal? A universal infrastructure that supports both in-app surveys and link surveys.

Always listen to your users, even if it means going back to the drawing board.

6. Open Source Empowers Community:

Our GitHub repository became a buzzing hive of activity. With the support, feedback, and contributions from the community, Formbricks grew faster and better than we'd ever imagined. The encouragement and collaborative spirit of the open-source community have truly been the wind beneath our wings.

If you would like to learn more about our journey or experience building in the open source space I would love to answer you questions 🤗

If you're curious to check out our work or consider contributing, feel free to browse our repository: Formbricks on Github 😊

Oh, and a little announcement on top: We're excited to share that we launched Formbricks on Product Hunt today! If you find the project interesting, we'd appreciate your thoughts and feedback over there: Formbricks on Product Hunt 🚀

To everyone building, iterating, and hustling, keep at it! Your passion and dedication can lead to amazing outcomes. Just hang in there 😅💪