Show HN: Built a Global Dating App in 100 Days Using Cursor ($20/Mo) (wctokyoseoul.com)

I'm an iOS developer with 20+ years of experience (since iPhone 3GS era). Using Cursor Pro at $20/month, I solo-developed and launched a global dating app on both App Store and Google Play in 100 days.

THE APP

WeConnect - 18 language support with real-time translation

- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weconnect-cultural-exchange/id...

- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abus.wecon...

- Website: https://www.wctokyoseoul.com

TECH STACK

- Flutter (cross-platform iOS/Android)

- Supabase (backend/auth/database)

- Next.js + Vercel (admin dashboard + landing)

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY

- First 70 days: No Mac, developed on Windows laptop + Galaxy S20+

- Bought used M4 Mac mini + iPhone 17 later to start iOS builds

- Push notifications: Spent days with Firebase, switched to OneSignal, then spent more days fighting Supabase JWT issues

- In-app purchases & SSO: Cursor alone couldn't solve it, had to use Claude/Gemini/Grok free tiers combined

- Design: Screenshot from Dribbble → "Make this exact UI" → 90% done

- Vietnam expansion failed: No Zalo SDK available

CURSOR PRO'S REAL VALUE

Initially got unlimited Auto mode + premium model access. Paid $20/month but effectively used $1,000+ worth. Now they've added limits (paywall after ~5 days), but core development is done and alternatives like Antigravity exist.

STORE APPROVAL

- Google Play: Approved in 1 day

- App Store: Multiple feedback rounds, barely made it through

HONEST TAKEAWAY

- Development: 100 days possible thanks to AI

- Marketing: Still a brutal red ocean

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

I have real experience:

- Multiple App Store #1 category rankings

- Architected 100M+ download services

- Recent Gradio AI project: 5.2k GitHub stars

YouTube videos make it seem like beginners can ship in days with vibe coding.

Reality: CS fundamentals still essential. The more experienced you are, the more leverage you get from AI tools. Cursor feels like managing 10 tireless team members who never complain.

TRY IT OUT

User base is small so matching might be difficult, but I'd appreciate any feedback!

Personal cost: Wife handled childcare almost solo for 100 days while I coded day and night. Worth it? Ask me when marketing starts working.

Questions welcome!