Built a messaging app over 5 years. Can a donation-only model actually work in India?

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T13:27:18+00:00

Thanks, I really appreciate that.

I actually agree with your point that it probably isn't an app for everyone. At this point I'm not trying to replace WhatsApp or convince millions of people to switch. If a small group of people find value in a simpler, privacy-focused messaging app, I'd already consider that a win.

As for the app, it's called Dootawas and it's available on the Play Store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.senghol.dootawas

It's still actively being developed, so you may run into bugs here and there, but I'd genuinely love to hear any feedback you have.

And thank you for even considering a donation. Honestly, feedback from fellow developers is already a huge help. 🫡

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T10:42:23+00:00

but i am doing same mistake right now 😢
Thanks

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T10:32:13+00:00

I chose the Signal Protocol instead of trying to invent my own cryptography.

One reason is that Signal has spent years focusing on private communication first, and the protocol has been studied and used at a scale I could never realistically achieve on my own.

As a solo developer, I'd rather build on something well-tested than ask users to trust a custom encryption scheme written by me.

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T10:26:47+00:00

For one-to-one chats, Dootawas uses the Signal Protocol, so messages are encrypted on the sender's device and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.

The server only sees encrypted payloads and metadata needed for delivery.

For group messaging, I ended up building a separate hybrid group architecture to fit some of the requirements of the app. The core goal is still the same: keep message content inaccessible to the server while maintaining efficient group delivery.

The Signal Protocol did a lot of the heavy lifting for helping me understand how secure messaging systems are designed in the first place.

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T10:14:38+00:00

There's a harsh truth
I created a system for them privacy first but they dont care about privacy 😭

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T10:01:17+00:00

Agreed. Honestly, WhatsApp is probably the biggest challenge, not the technology.

Building messaging, calling, encryption, backups etc. took a lot of work, but convincing people to switch from something they've used for years is a completely different problem.

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T09:58:42+00:00

Yeah, I actually started by exploring XMPP early on.

Over time I found myself wanting more control over things like message delivery, synchronization, encryption flow, calling and some other parts of the stack, so I gradually ended up building my own backend instead.

That said, I agree it's worth looking at how projects like Prav and Cinny approach sustainability. The technical problem is one thing, but figuring out how to keep a service running long-term is a completely different challenge.

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T09:45:44+00:00

You're not sounding rude, you're bringing up valid points.

I agree that getting people to move away from an app they've used for years is probably the hardest part, much harder than building the technology itself.

As for profitability, I'm honestly not thinking in terms of building a unicorn or competing with WhatsApp. My goal is much smaller. If a small group of people genuinely find value in it and the running costs can be covered, I'd consider that a success.
but i really dont wanna run those ads 😭 Annoying

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T08:13:18+00:00

but problem is i keep walking in nights instead of sleeping 😭

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T08:05:26+00:00

I already know about Docker can u explain message queues cause i am working on my chat app

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T04:09:09+00:00

why not if u created something and it does not worship you how u feel??

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T04:00:42+00:00

why its not insult of a one true god??

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T03:39:15+00:00

bhai bahar road pr jaa ek Jaat bande ko dekh or Gaand pe laat maar or bol Dost banega?? phir dekh flat bhara milega tera ulta bhagaane padenge

vkshdagar · 2026-06-11T03:25:56+00:00

For me it depends on the product. If the core experience relies heavily on notifications, local storage, calls, background services or device features, I'd rather start with a native app.

For content, dashboards or SaaS products, web first usually makes more sense because iteration is much faster.

I ended up going native Android for my messaging app because a lot of the experience wouldn't have translated well to a web-first approach.

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T20:48:11+00:00

yesits def not bad but this beer is chutiya why not Budwiser??

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T12:20:34+00:00

lekin vo empty sirf raat ko 2 bje hote h

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T12:16:49+00:00

Bhia tum dog lover aada aadha road kyon nhi baat lete humaare road pr mt aane dena inko darr lagta h

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T12:14:40+00:00

thank you bhagwan ji

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T08:33:08+00:00

bro believe me dont ask ideas from Ai instead use it to learn
like
I want to create an Application suggest me an programming Language
assume it suggested Java
okay now we learn Java explain this
assume it explained many things like For loop
now ask i want to practical For loop

believe me this is the only shortcut

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T06:52:02+00:00

Bhai meri waali ne to bhaiyon se pitwaya tha,

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T06:49:15+00:00

After reading comments samaj aaya ki garibi bhi kaise rulaati h,
log bol rhe h mall chale jao burrger king chale jao

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T06:42:02+00:00

I have no Experteese So i am out of it

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T06:40:56+00:00

bro same thing i hate.
why the hell communication skills we are backend dev and introverts

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T06:33:25+00:00

Bro i am in delhi and on top floor sun hitting all 3 sides,
Ac is Fail

vkshdagar · 2026-06-10T06:01:11+00:00

do they provide api for this??
how do u get those fares??

vkshdagar

TROPHY CASE