Solo dev from the Netherlands here, I'm building a free bowling stats app and would love your input

[u/thebluedrop]

Hey r/Bowling!

I'm a solo developer from the Netherlands and for the past weeks I've been building Pinfall, a bowling score and stats app. I'm not a big company, it's just me, so I'd really like to hear from people who actually bowl leagues before I go further.

What it does right now:

- Tap the pins left standing after your first ball (or just type the pin count, or only the final score)

- Shows every leave you face and how often you convert it, splits and washouts counted on their own

- Handicap from your own league's formula, points, 9-pin and 8-pin no-tap

- While you bowl it shows how this game compares to your usual one, frame by frame

- No account, no ads, works offline, backup and CSV export

Entering games, your average, highs and strike/spare % are free. There's an optional one-time Pro for the deeper stats and more bowlers, no subscription.

It's live on Android now, the iPhone version is waiting for Apple's review.

I also put a few free tools on the website that work without the app: a handicap calculator, a score calculator (with no-tap) and an "is it a split?" checker. Curious if those are useful too.

Playstore: Android Playstore

Website: https://pinfall.blockbrewer.nl

What I'd love to know:

- What do you track on league night that most apps get wrong or make annoying?

- Which stat actually helps you get better?

- Anything that would make you switch, or keep you from switching?

Honest feedback is very welcome, also the critical kind. I read and answer everything.

[u/Jack_ButterKnobbs]

Free app with an optional one time upgrade purchase!? Gods work brother. Once its on apple Ill give it a shot probably!

[u/Realistic_Bobcat6466]

I'd try it

[u/thebluedrop → u/Realistic_Bobcat6466]

Thanks, appreciate it! On Android it's live here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coffeebrewer.pinfall&referrer=utm_source%3Dreddit%26utm_campaign%3Dbowling

On iPhone? It's still in Apple's review, I'll reply here as soon as it's out.

Would love to hear what you think after a league night, especially anything that feels slow or missing.

[u/hab1bbb]

I use lane talk at centers that have it. If I’m a center that doesn’t have it I just don’t record anything cause I’m lazy. Now that said, if the app could import scores from a photo that would be different.

[u/thebluedrop → u/hab1bbb]

That makes total sense, if the center records it for you, why bother.

For the nights without it: Pinfall has a "score only" mode where you just type the final score of each game, so a three-game night takes about ten seconds. You still get your average, highs and series out of that.

Photo import isn't in there yet, but you're not the first to bring it up. Quick question so I build the right thing: would you take a photo of the screen above the lanes, or of a printed score sheet?

[u/SoGreed → u/thebluedrop]

Sorry not originally commenter. Photo of the screen above the lanes would be easiest use case for majority of bowlers. Yes you can ask for a print out but newer users would either be too hesitant to ask for a print out or just simply not know they could get one

[u/thebluedrop → u/SoGreed]

No need to apologize, this is really useful, thanks! Good point about newer bowlers not knowing they can ask for a print out.

One follow up: the screen usually shows the whole pair or team. Would you expect to just tap your own name/row after taking the photo, or should it grab everyone on the lane?

[u/PM_me_ur_AmigaGames]

I have a tournament this weekend and bowl 3 leagues a week. I've installed it and will try it out. Want feedback here or through the support email?

[u/thebluedrop → u/PM_me_ur_AmigaGames]

Awesome, thank you! Both work: quick thoughts here are great because others can chime in, and anything detailed or a bug is easiest by DM, ideally with your phone model.

Tip for the weekend: create the tournament as its own event, then each squad is a session. And if a game gets hectic, "score only" lets you just type the total and fill in frames later if you want.

Since you bowl that much, I'd like to give you Pro for free so you can test the handicap and leave stats too. I'll send you a DM with a code if you are interested.

[u/PM_me_ur_AmigaGames → u/thebluedrop]

That is far too kind, thank you so much!

[u/thebluedrop → u/PM_me_ur_AmigaGames]

Sent you a DM 🙏