Case Study: Cross-Platform App Boilerplate in Action
March 6, 2025
Launching a SaaS product on iOS, Android, and the web is a dream for many teams—but few pull it off in weeks, let alone days. ProgressMade.ai did just that. Here's how they shipped a production-ready app on all platforms, skipped the usual headaches, and started earning revenue fast—thanks to the MoneyMouth boilerplate.
Introduction: The Modern SaaS Launch Dilemma
Imagine you have a great idea for a productivity app. You want it to work everywhere—on iPhones, Android devices, and the web. You want users to pay, get notifications, and enjoy a smooth experience, no matter where they are. But building all of this from scratch? It's overwhelming. Most teams spend months, sometimes years, just getting the basics right.
ProgressMade.ai faced this exact challenge. Their goal: launch a cross-platform SaaS for productivity and goal tracking, and do it faster than anyone thought possible. Here's how they made it happen.
1. The Challenge: Ship Everywhere, Fast
ProgressMade.ai set out to launch a cross-platform SaaS for productivity and goal tracking. The requirements were ambitious:
- Native payments on web, iOS, and Android
- Realtime sync for collaborative features
- Push notifications with timezone support
- Offline-ready for users on the go
- App store compliance from day one
- Unified analytics and seamless onboarding
Why These Features Matter
- Native payments mean users can subscribe or buy features directly in the app, no matter their device.
- Realtime sync lets teams collaborate and see updates instantly.
- Push notifications keep users engaged and informed, even when they're not using the app.
- Offline support ensures the app works anywhere, even on a plane or in a tunnel.
- App store compliance is crucial for getting approved and reaching users quickly.
- Unified analytics help the team understand what users love—and what needs work.
The team knew that building all this from scratch would take months. For a breakdown of the hidden work, see The True Cost of DIY App Infrastructure (and How to Save 6 Months).
Summary: ProgressMade.ai needed to launch fast, with all the features users expect from a modern SaaS. The stakes were high, and the timeline was tight.
2. Why Most Teams Get Stuck
Launching on three platforms means juggling different APIs, compliance rules, and edge cases. Here's where most teams hit roadblocks:
Payments: A Tangled Web
- Integrating Stripe for web, StoreKit for iOS, and Google Play Billing for Android is a project in itself.
- Each platform has its own rules, fees, and review processes.
- Mistakes can lead to rejected apps or lost revenue.
(See The Ultimate Checklist for Monetizing Your App Across All Platforms)
Notifications: So Many Quirks
- Apple, Google, and web browsers all handle notifications differently.
- Timezone support is tricky—users expect reminders at the right time, wherever they are.
- Testing notifications across devices is time-consuming.
(See How to Build a Scalable Notification System for Every Platform)
Realtime & Offline: Complex Sync
- Keeping data in sync across devices and users is hard.
- Handling offline scenarios adds another layer of complexity.
- Users expect their data to "just work," even with spotty internet.
(See Why Local-First and Offline-Ready Apps Are the Future)
App Store Review: The Gatekeepers
- Passing review on the first try requires native features and great performance.
- Each store has unique requirements and hidden pitfalls.
(See A Developer's Guide to Passing App Store Review on the First Try)
Summary: Most teams get stuck because every platform is different. Integrating payments, notifications, and realtime features is a huge job. App store rules add even more complexity.
3. The Solution: MoneyMouth Boilerplate
Instead of reinventing the wheel, ProgressMade.ai used the MoneyMouth boilerplate—a production-ready foundation for cross-platform SaaS apps. Here's what made the difference:
Unified Tech Stack
- One codebase for iOS, Android, and web, built with TypeScript, Tanstack Start, and InstantDB.
- No more duplicating work for each platform.
- Easier to maintain and update.
(See Why a Unified Tech Stack is the Key to Fast, Profitable App Launches)
Payments Ready
- Stripe, StoreKit, and Google Play Billing pre-integrated and tested.
- Accept payments and subscriptions from day one.
- No need to learn three different payment systems.
Notifications Everywhere
- FCM and trigger.dev for all platforms, with timezone-aware scheduling.
- Users get timely reminders, no matter their device.
Realtime Database
- Instant sync for all users.
- Collaborative features work out of the box.
Offline-First
- Local-first architecture ensures the app works even with spotty internet.
- Users can keep working, even when offline.
(See Building for the Future: Local-First, Offline-Ready, and Realtime Apps)
Authentication
- Google, Apple, and email sign-in out of the box.
- Users can log in however they prefer.
Performance
- 60FPS, small download size, and over-the-air updates.
- Fast, smooth experience for everyone.
(See The Secret to 60FPS Performance in Cross-Platform React Apps)
Testing & CI/CD
- Playwright and GitHub Actions pipelines included.
- Automated tests catch bugs before users do.
(See How to Build and Test Cross-Platform Apps with CI/CD and Playwright)
User Analytics
- Built-in Umami tracking.
- Understand user behavior from day one.
(See How to Track User Analytics Across Web and Mobile with Umami)
Summary: The MoneyMouth boilerplate gave ProgressMade.ai everything they needed—fast payments, notifications, realtime sync, offline support, and more. All in one place.
4. The Launch: From Zero to App Store in Weeks
With MoneyMouth, ProgressMade.ai:
- Launched on iOS, Android, and web in record time
- Passed app store review on the first try
- Enabled in-app purchases and subscriptions from day one
- Delivered realtime, synchronized user experiences
- Provided robust offline support for all users
- Tracked analytics and user engagement from the start
The Launch Timeline
- Week 1: Set up the MoneyMouth boilerplate, customized branding, and configured payments.
- Week 2: Built out core features—goal tracking, collaboration, and notifications.
- Week 3: Tested across devices, set up CI/CD, and prepared for app store submission.
- Week 4: Submitted to app stores, passed review, and launched to users.
What Made the Difference?
- No time wasted on infrastructure.
- Automated tests and CI/CD caught issues early.
- Unified codebase meant every fix and feature worked everywhere.
Summary: ProgressMade.ai went from idea to app store in just weeks. The right foundation made all the difference.
5. Lessons Learned & Best Practices
1. Don't DIY the Plumbing
- Use a proven boilerplate to skip months of integration work.
- Focus on your app's unique value, not the basics.
2. Test Early and Often
- Automated tests and CI/CD pipelines catch issues before launch.
- Testing on real devices is still important—don't skip it.
3. Design for Offline and Realtime
- Users expect seamless sync and reliability.
- Plan for bad connections and offline scenarios from the start.
4. Plan for App Store Review
- Build with compliance and performance in mind from day one.
- Read the guidelines for each store—avoid last-minute surprises.
5. Monetize Everywhere
- Integrate payments and subscriptions for all platforms up front.
- Make it easy for users to pay, no matter their device.
For more tips, see Avoiding the Top 7 Pitfalls in Cross-Platform App Development.
Summary: The right tools and habits save time, reduce stress, and help you launch faster.
6. Ready to Launch Like ProgressMade.ai?
ProgressMade.ai's story proves you don't need a huge team or endless budget to launch everywhere fast. With the right foundation, you can:
- Ship a production SaaS on iOS, Android, and web in weeks
- Monetize from day one
- Deliver a seamless, high-performance experience on every platform
- Focus on your app's unique value, not the infrastructure
Action Steps for Your Team
- Choose a proven boilerplate to save time and avoid common pitfalls.
- List your must-have features and make sure your foundation supports them.
- Automate testing and deployment from the start.
- Plan for payments, notifications, and offline support up front.
- Focus on your users—the rest should just work.
Conclusion: Launch Faster, Grow Smarter
Launching a cross-platform SaaS doesn't have to be slow or painful. ProgressMade.ai's journey shows what's possible with the right tools and mindset. By skipping the months of plumbing and focusing on what matters, they delivered a high-quality product to users everywhere—fast.
Want to launch your own cross-platform SaaS in record time? Check out the MoneyMouth boilerplate and skip the months of plumbing—so you can focus on what matters most: your users and your product.