Every month, forums and subreddits fill up with people asking versions of the same question: “Is there a tool for X?”
I love those threads. They’re a great example of crowdsourced problem solving. But they also often turn into a messy pile of suggestions with no clear way to tell which ones actually solve the problem.
If you’re about to post an “Is there a tool for…” question (or reply to one), here are simple, practical tips that actually make the answers better.
Start with a one-sentence summary
Lead with the problem, not the wish. For example:
– “I need a quick way to convert receipts (photos) into categorized expense entries for personal budgeting.”
That’s better than “Is there an app for expense tracking?”
Be specific about constraints
Tools often fail because of one tiny requirement you didn’t mention. Add details like:
– Platform (Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, web)
– File types (PDF, JPG, CSV)
– Budget (free, <$10/month, open source)
- Privacy needs (offline, no uploads to servers)
- Workflow fit (needs Zapier integration, must export to Excel)
If you can include 1–3 must-haves and 1–2 nice-to-haves, responses become much more useful.
Show what you’ve tried
A short list of what you tested prevents repeated suggestions and helps responders suggest better alternatives.
- "Tried Expensify and Evernote—too manual and expensive for my volume."
Ask for specific evidence
When people recommend something, ask for quick proof it works for your case.
- "Can you say which file type you used?"
- "Does this support export to CSV or only to their proprietary format?"
Where to post your question
- Reddit communities (look for niche subs related to your problem). If you’re posting in a general “Is there an app for this?” thread, try to be extra clear.
- Product Hunt, Maker communities, and specialized Slack or Discord groups for tech stacks.
- Stack Exchange sites if your question is technical and fits the rules.
How to read answers like a pro
Not all recommendations are equal. Here’s a quick checklist when someone suggests a tool:
- Recent: Has the recommendation been updated in the last 12 months?
- Fit: Does it check your must-haves?
- Evidence: Does the commenter share screenshots, workflows, or a short note saying "I used this for X for Y months"?
- Bias: Are they affiliated (promoter link) or genuinely a user?
Try before you commit
If a tool looks promising, give it a real trial. Create a mini-project that mirrors your daily use and run it through the workflow. This often reveals hidden friction faster than reading docs.
Quick list of places to find tools beyond Reddit
- Product Hunt for newly launched apps
- G2 and Capterra for reviews and comparisons
- GitHub for open source alternatives
- Niche forums related to your industry (photography, accounting, devops)
Final note: Make it easy to help you
The better your question, the better the answers. People want to be helpful, but they also want to avoid endless back-and-forth. Give the problem, the constraints, and what you tried. If someone replies with a suggestion, thank them and share whether it worked. That helps the next person who asks the same thing.
These monthly "Is there a tool for..." threads are little goldmines when they’re done right. With a few clear details, you’ll get recommendations that actually save time.
Have a recent example? Share it below — I’ll read and add any useful tools I know.