Why I Built an Ad-Free Alternative to Untappd
I've used Untappd for years to log the beers I drink. It works. It also drives me a little crazy every time I open it. Between the ads wedged into my feed, the check-in pressure that makes logging a beer feel like a social performance, and an interface that's accumulated more features than I've ever asked for, opening the app to do one simple thing — "I liked this beer, I want to remember it" —…
For years, the author has utilized Untappd to keep track of the beers they consume. However, the constant presence of ads, the pressure of checking in, and an overly complex interface made using the app feel like more of a chore than a simple pleasure. This dissatisfaction led the author to embark on a project to create their own alternative.
Inspired by Letterboxd, a film-logging app that offers a streamlined and user-friendly experience, the author envisioned a similar approach for beer enthusiasts. The new app, named HopLog, aimed to provide a clean, fast, and personal-journal-first platform for logging and remembering drinks, as well as discovering new beers - all without ads, check-in pressure, or unnecessary features.
To ensure the development of HopLog followed a professional product development process, the author first created a product requirements document outlining what would be included in the first version and what would be excluded. Next, user personas were developed to identify the target audience, which included casual drinkers, homebrewers, and travelers seeking local brewery recommendations.
User stories, wireframes, a database schema, and an API design were then created, followed by a milestone-by-milestone roadmap that guided the six-step development process.
During the development, the author placed significant emphasis on the visual appearance of HopLog, ensuring it had its own unique style rather than resembling a generic app template. The design incorporated a warm, dim palette reminiscent of a taproom chalkboard, an amber accent to evoke light through a beer glass, and a serif display font that felt hand-lettered, accompanied by legible body text.
The author acknowledges that data is a significant challenge, as Untappd's main advantage comes from its vast collection of beers, breweries, and reviews gathered over fifteen years. Currently, HopLog's database is smaller and relies on public brewery data supplemented by user contributions. While the author does not expect HopLog to replace Untappd, they believe it can appeal to a smaller, dedicated niche of users who prefer a more relaxed and visually appealing alternative.
HopLog is now available at hoplog-web.vercel.app, where visitors can explore the site without any login requirements, giving them a preview of the app's features before deciding to sign up. The platform is free and ad-free, with no forced check-ins or algorithm-driven feeds, allowing users to simply log and reminisce about their drinking experiences.
The author is open to receiving feedback and suggestions, as this is an early-stage project built by a single individual striving to provide a better alternative to an app they frequently use.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
