---
title: "Showcase: Appreciation Jar — Messages App"
description: Discover how Appreciation Jar creates a private digital space for couples to share gratitude and strengthen relationships through daily appreciation messages.
date: 
  created: 2025-08-03
  updated: 2025-08-03
authors:
  - robingenz
categories:
  - Capacitor
  - Showcase
links:
  - Appreciation Jar Website: https://appreciation.place/
  - Appreciation Jar in App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/appreciation-jar/id6447924542
  - Appreciation Jar in Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=place.appreciation.jar
---

# Showcase: Appreciation Jar - Send appreciative messages to your partner

Appreciation Jar, developed by Stanislav Khromov, is a privacy-first gratitude journaling app based on Capacitor, designed specifically for couples to share appreciations and positive thoughts in a secure, intimate space.

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## Introduction

[Appreciation Jar](https://appreciation.place/){:target="_blank"} turns expressing gratitude into a regular habit between partners. Unlike social media platforms where personal moments become public, the app keeps everything private, so couples can focus on appreciating each other without external distractions or pressure.

You create a shared virtual appreciation jar with your partner, family members, or close friends, and fill it with positive messages that build stronger emotional connections through regular gratitude practice. Signup requires no email address or phone number, all data is stored on EU-based servers, and users keep ownership of it without any third-party involvement.

<div markdown>
![Appreciation Jar Screenshot](/blog/showcase-appreciation-jar/appreciation-jar-1.png){ width="220" }
![Appreciation Jar Screenshot](/blog/showcase-appreciation-jar/appreciation-jar-2.png){ width="220" }
![Appreciation Jar Screenshot](/blog/showcase-appreciation-jar/appreciation-jar-3.png){ width="220" }
</div>

## Features

Appreciation Jar prioritizes simplicity and privacy in its feature set. Setup takes less than a minute, after which users can start sharing appreciative messages with their partners. The cross-platform availability means couples can stay connected whether they're using iOS, Android, or the web version.

Users maintain complete control over their data, with servers located in the European Union and no third-party data sharing. Couples can express their deepest appreciations without concerns about privacy or data misuse.

Positive messages stay in the shared jar, so both partners can revisit them whenever they need emotional support or want to remember why they appreciate each other.

## Monetization

Appreciation Jar is currently free. With approximately 5,000 total downloads and 500 monthly active users, Stanislav has chosen to focus on creating value and building a loyal user base rather than immediate revenue generation.

Without a paywall, the app stays accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic situation.

## Development

Stanislav chose Capacitor because learning native iOS and Android development plus maintaining multiple codebases would have been overwhelming for a side project. Among web-to-native options, Capacitor emerged as the mature choice that properly supported both platforms while allowing him to use familiar web technologies.

In the end, Appreciation Jar was built using a stack that includes:

- Capacitor: Cross-platform framework for building native mobile apps using web technologies
- SvelteKit: A modern framework for building fast, interactive web applications
- PostgreSQL: A relational database for storing user data securely
- CapRover and Docker: Containerization and deployment platform for easy app management
- Umami: Privacy-friendly analytics
- GlitchTip: Error monitoring
- Pushpin: Realtime updates

The development process took approximately six months, with the only major challenge being the app-specific requirements like creating developer accounts with Apple and Google, setting up native environments locally, and building app bundles correctly. Stanislav praised Capacitor's documentation, noting it was excellent even for advanced topics like building custom plugins.

The app uses the following Capacitor plugins:

```
@capacitor/android
@capacitor/app
@capacitor/assets
@capacitor/cli
@capacitor/clipboard
@capacitor/core
@capacitor/ios
@capacitor/preferences
@capacitor/push-notifications
@capacitor/status-bar
@capawesome-team/capacitor-printer
```

The short list keeps the codebase lean and focused on core functionality. The [Capawesome Printer](../../sdks/capacitor/printer.md) plugin is the only unofficial Capacitor plugin used. It lets users print their appreciation messages directly from the app.

## Q&A

**Why did you choose Capacitor for this project?**

"I chose Capacitor because learning native iOS and Android development plus maintaining multiple codebases would have been difficult for a side project - I needed a single codebase solution using web technologies I already was familiar with. Among the web-to-native options, Capacitor was the only mature choice that properly supported both platforms."

**What do you like most about Capacitor?**

"That I can still use my favourite stack for web projects. While there are UI kits like Ionic, I wanted to make a completely custom design for this app and Capacitor made that super simple. It also makes it easy to prototype the web/PWA version first to validate the idea and then add Capacitor at the end."

**What are your future plans for the app?**

"I'm working on a big update right now that focuses on the realtime components in the app. There will be presence indicators showing if other users are currently in the app (and where), live updating of posted messages (like a chat app) and some new creative ways to stay in touch with each other remotely."

**What's your most valuable tip for developers using Capacitor?**

"Start with what you already know - web and PWA, and build out your prototype. Once it starts to feel good (or you start needing native features) add Capacitor on top!"

## Related Posts

- [Showcase: CostPal - Price tracking app for Costco](./showcase-costpal.md)
- [Showcase: LEAGUES - The visual football app](./showcase-leagues.md)
- [Showcase: MyBodyTutor — Nutrition Coaching App](./showcase-mybodytutor.md)

## Conclusion

For your own side project, take Stanislav's route: build the web or PWA version first, then add Capacitor once you need native features. Appreciation Jar took about six months that way, with a short plugin list and a single codebase.

*Download Appreciation Jar on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/appreciation-jar/id6447924542){:target="_blank"} or [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=place.appreciation.jar){:target="_blank"} to start sharing appreciations with your partner today.*

**You want to showcase your Capacitor app?** Reach out to us at [support@capawesome.io](mailto:support@capawesome.io). We would love to feature your app in our next showcase post!