A Reddit user has analysed more than 9,300 posts where people say, “I wish there was an app for this,” offering rare insight into unmet demand across software and SaaS products. The six-month study, shared on the r/SaaS subreddit, examines what users complain about most—and where they are willing to pay for better solutions.
The findings highlight growing frustration with subscriptions, strong demand in finance tools, and emerging opportunities for founders in early 2026.
TL;DR
- Finance tools show the strongest willingness to pay
- Productivity apps get the most requests but weaker revenue signals
- Offline and privacy-first apps are rising due to subscription fatigue
- Developer, parenting, and cooking tools show the highest frustration
- Health and wellness apps are the fastest-growing category in early 2026
Dataset Overview
The analysis reviewed 9,363 unique Reddit posts from the past six months. Each post described a problem and asked for a tool or app that does not appear to exist.
The goal was to identify:
- High-demand problem areas
- User frustration levels
- Clear signals of willingness to pay
Growing Demand for Offline and Privacy-Focused Tools
One of the strongest trends was a move away from cloud-based software.
- Around 7% of all posts (640+) asked for:
- Offline-first tools
- Local-only data storage
- Privacy-focused alternatives
Many users expressed frustration with recurring subscriptions and data collection. This trend was most visible in productivity and personal tools.
Most Requested App Categories
Productivity tools generate the most requests, but volume does not always equal revenue potential.
| Category | Number of Requests |
|---|---|
| Productivity | 1,231 |
| Education & Self-Improvement | 698 |
| Business Tools / SaaS | 696 |
| Health & Wellness | 656 |
Education and health-related tools showed stronger signals of long-term engagement and willingness to pay.
ADHD Community Emerges as a High-Signal Niche
The r/ADHD subreddit stood out in the analysis.
Users there:
- Provide detailed descriptions of broken workflows
- Clearly explain why existing tools fail
- Often describe exact features they want
This makes the ADHD community a valuable source for highly specific product ideas.
Preferred App Formats
Most requests focused on mobile apps, though smaller segments showed higher intent.
| App Type | Share of Requests |
|---|---|
| Mobile Apps | 61% |
| SaaS / Web Platforms | 6% |
| Desktop / Local Software | ~2% |
While desktop and local software requests were rare, they showed strong intent, especially among privacy-conscious users.
When User Frustration Peaks
Timing analysis revealed a clear pattern.
- Most complaint posts appear on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Users often encounter problems at the start of the work week and turn to Reddit to vent
This insight may help founders time product launches or marketing efforts.
Where the Money Is: Willingness to Pay
Posts were scanned for words such as “buy,” “premium,” “price,” and “subscription” to identify revenue intent.
Top Categories by Pay Signals
| Category | Pay Signals |
|---|---|
| Finance | 193 |
| Online Commerce | 76 |
| Travel | 42 |
Finance users frequently requested secure portfolio trackers and advanced analytics tools, often stating they were willing to pay for premium solutions.
Key insight: Finance and e-commerce tools offer a faster path to revenue than general productivity apps.
Highest Frustration Levels by Category
Longer posts tended to show deeper frustration and clearer unmet needs.
| Category | Average Post Length |
|---|---|
| Developer Platforms | 229 |
| Cooking & Recipes | 223 |
| Parenting | 221 |
- Developers described missing features in complex platforms
- Home cooks complained about ad-heavy recipe websites
- Parents shared emotional and detailed needs for tracking tools
Fastest-Growing Categories (Late 2025 to Early 2026)
Recent data shows rising interest in:
- Health & Wellness – driven by New Year resolutions
- Gaming – especially gamified productivity tools
- Smart Home & IoT – demand for clearer data visualisation
Many users already own smart devices but want better dashboards and insights.
Key Takeaways for Builders
High Revenue and High Demand
- Finance tools, especially portfolio analytics
High Loyalty, Lower Competition
- Parenting tools
- Tools for traditional artists
Current Opportunity Wave
- Minimalist smart home dashboards
- Gym and habit tools that reduce decision fatigue
Anti-Bloat Opportunity
- Simple, fast, ad-free cooking and recipe apps
Summary
The Reddit analysis suggests that success in 2026 may come not from crowded productivity apps, but from solving specific, high-frustration problems—especially in finance, health, and privacy-focused software. For founders, long Reddit posts may be the clearest signal of real demand.
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