The Story
David Attias built Stoppr - a mobile app that helps people quit sugar addiction. The app now generates $12K/month, and David built it using "vibe coding" - describing what he wanted to AI tools and letting them generate the code.
David's approach is refreshingly honest: he doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. He studies successful apps in one category (like quit smoking apps), then applies the same proven mechanics to a different but similar niche (quit sugar). The psychology of addiction is the same - only the substance changes.
The "quit sugar" niche is massive. Sugar addiction affects millions of people, but unlike smoking or alcohol, there are far fewer apps targeting it. David saw this gap and moved fast.
Using vibe coding tools, David went from idea to App Store in weeks, not months. He focused on the core features that make quit apps work: streak tracking, community support, progress visualization, and motivational content.
Key Insights
The App Cloning Playbook
- •Find apps making money in one addiction niche (smoking, alcohol)
- •Study their features, onboarding, and monetization
- •Apply the same formula to an underserved niche (sugar)
- •The psychology of quitting is universal - only the substance differs
Why Sugar is a Great Niche
- •Massive market - sugar addiction is everywhere
- •Less competition than smoking/alcohol apps
- •Growing health consciousness drives demand
- •Recurring problem = recurring revenue
Vibe Coding Advantages
- •Speed: weeks instead of months
- •No deep coding knowledge required
- •Iterate fast based on user feedback
- •Focus on product, not technical details
6-Step App Cloning Process
- •Research successful apps - Find apps making $50K+/month in adjacent niches
- •Identify transferable mechanics - What features drive retention and conversion?
- •Pick an underserved niche - Same problem, different market
- •Build with AI tools - Use Cursor, Replit, or similar for fast development
- •Copy the monetization model - If weekly subscriptions work for quit smoking, they'll work for quit sugar
- •Launch and iterate - Get real users, listen to feedback, improve
Tech Stack
- •React Native (mobile)
- •Supabase (backend)
- •RevenueCat (subscriptions)
- •Cursor (vibe coding)
- •Figma (design)
Resources
- •Follow David: https://x.com/davidattias
- •Stoppr: Available on App Store