How a Solo Founder Built a $30K/Month App with 5.2M Installs

Jan 24, 2026

John McEvoy, solo founder of Momego (a transit tracking app with millions of installs), shares his journey from designer-turned-developer. He discusses localized ASO and screenshot A/B tests, a niche Apple Search Ads approach, price and trial experiments like reverse trials, building AI-friendly sites for distribution, and retention tactics including widgets, live activities, and churn recovery.

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ADVICE

Optimize App Store Copy For Chatbots

Add Q&A and location-specific questions to your App Store description so chatbots can pull and cite your listing.
Use the web App Store listing as an authoritative source to improve AI-generated recommendations.

ADVICE

Use Template Screenshots For Localized Tests

A/B test screenshots per storefront using templates to speed localization.
Swap only the first screenshot text for location-specific CPAs to improve ASA tap-through rates.

ADVICE

Localize Visuals, Not Just Text

Localize screenshots and messaging per country using A/B tests, not just translate text.
Mirror top local apps' visual style and prioritize what each market values (information density, widgets, testimonials).

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In this episode, we’re joined by one of our community members, John McEvoy, founder of Momego, the worldwide transit tracking app with over 5.2 million installs and 400,000 daily active users, built entirely by one person.

John started as a graphic designer and taught himself to code. Today, his app generates $30K in monthly recurring revenue, powered by localized ASO, clever ASA, and great features.

He’ll share his exact frameworks for growth, from keyword localisation to subscription retention, all based on real results from running a successful utility app in a competitive market.

You will discover:

✅ How localised ASO helped Momego reach 5M+ installs

✅ The Apple Search Ads strategy John uses to scale profitably

✅ How to test app icons, pricing, and onboarding flows that convert

✅ Why reverse trials outperform free trials for mobile apps

✅ The features that keep users paying (widgets + live activities)

Learn More:

🚊 Try Momego → https://apps.apple.com/app/momego-live-bus-train-times/id1281251210

🔗 Connect with John → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbairdmcevoy

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/live/jN6e9sSyaoo

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

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