Solo Bootstrapped Developer Turns Ad Blocker into Full-Time Income

About

Magic Lasso is an ad-blocking app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It blocks ads, trackers, and pop-ups to deliver a faster, cleaner browsing experience across apps and browsers.

The Developer

Magic Lasso Adblock was created by Matthew Bickham in 2017. It started as a side project and grew into a full-time business as downloads and subscriptions increased.

• reference: https://www.magiclasso.co/insights/ad-blocker-year-in-review-2018

Business Model & Revenue

Magic Lasso runs on a subscription model:

• Free Trial: 30-day free trial for new users.
• Paid Plan: US $29.99 per year for full access to all ad-blocking features.

According to the developer’s reports, the app saw revenue growth of over 50% in 2023 and profit growth of over 80%. By 2025, Magic Lasso has surpassed 350,000 downloads.

• reference: https://www.magiclasso.co/insights/ad-blocker-year-in-review-2025/

Distribution

Magic Lasso is available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with downloads through the App Store and the official website.

Its main traffic channels are:

• Direct (49%) – returning users and strong brand recognition
• Organic Search (46%) – SEO for keywords like “ad blocker”

Tech Stack

• iOS & iPadOS: Swift
• macOS: Swift & AppKit
• Backend: Likely Node.js or Python
• Frontend: JavaScript, HTML/CSS