Every month I scroll through that familiar Reddit thread: “Is there a tool for…” People ask for everything from automating tiny tasks to building whole workflows. And most of the time, the answers are great — but a lot depends on how the question is asked.
So I started thinking: what if we made these posts actually work better for everyone? Here’s a quick, friendly guide on how to ask, where to look, and what to try if a direct tool doesn’t exist.
Start with a clear problem, not a desired tool
People often describe what they want to do by naming a tool. That narrows answers. Instead, say what you need the tool to accomplish.
– What outcome do you want? (e.g., export invoices as CSV)
– How often will it run? (one-off, daily, hourly)
– What platform do you use? (Windows, iOS, web)
If you include those, helpers can recommend simpler, cheaper, or more reliable ways.
Show what you already tried
Write a short list of the searches or apps you tested. That saves time and avoids repeat suggestions. It also tells people whether you’re open to DIY scripts or prefer no-code tools.
Be specific about constraints
Budget, privacy, integrations — these matter. If you can’t use cloud tools, say so. If you need something free or under $20/month, say that. These small details steer answers toward solutions you can actually use.
Where to look when someone asks
If you’re the one answering, or you want to find answers yourself, try these places:
– AlternativeTo (good for comparing apps)
– Product Hunt (new and niche apps)
– Relevant subreddits (r/FindAProgram, r/AskTechnology)
– GitHub (open-source scripts and projects)
– Search operators: “site:reddit.com “is there a tool” + your keywords”
Think beyond single tools
Sometimes no single app does exactly what you want. That’s fine. Combine small tools or use automation platforms like Zapier, Make, or short scripts. A simple cron job plus a script can beat a clunky paid product.
How I decide on a recommendation
When I’m helping someone, I weigh:
– Simplicity: can it be set up quickly?
– Cost: is it worth the time saved?
– Reliability: does it handle edge cases?
– Privacy: where is the data stored?
If a recommendation scores well on those for the user’s constraints, I share it — otherwise I propose a workaround.
Sample template you can copy-paste
Title: “Is there a tool to [short goal]?”
Body: “Goal: [what outcome you need].
Platform: [Windows/macOS/iOS/web].
Frequency: [one-off/daily/real-time].
Tried: [list apps or searches].
Constraints: [budget, privacy, integrations].”
That little structure gets better answers fast.
Final thought
Monthly ‘is there a tool for…’ posts are useful. They surface small gaps and clever solutions. If you ask clearly and share a bit of context, you’ll get practical replies instead of vague suggestions. And if a perfect tool doesn’t exist, you might find a simple mix of tools or a tiny script that does the job.
Give it a try next time you need something — and if you want, drop your question in the comments below. I’d be happy to help you frame it.