And a Dinosaur
For iOS power users, web developers, and enthusiasts seeking to customize their browsing experience or restore legacy UI aesthetics.
Snapshot
Who is And a Dinosaur?
Developing technical Safari extensions and utilities that restore native iOS functionality and minimalist web experiences for power users.
Target audience
Portfolio
Free 8Last updated
Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
v3.4.5
6mo ago
Publisher DNA
What defines And a Dinosaur?
Publisher DNA
Primary focus
Safari extensions and developer utilities
Scale
studio
Target audience
iOS power users, web developers, and enthusiasts seeking to customize their browsing experience or restore legacy UI aesthetics.
Origin
Founded by developer Zhenyi Tan to create utility-focused apps including Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Web Inspector for iOS.
Signature Patterns
- •Specialization in Safari extensions that modify or redirect web content for improved UX.
- •Utility-first design language often utilizing retro or 'hacker-style' terminal aesthetics.
- •Monetization strategy utilizing a mix of paid-upfront utilities and free developer tools.
- •Focus on restoring native iOS functionality like Picture-in-Picture and background audio to web-based media.
Portfolio momentum
Maintains a consistent development cycle with 4 releases in the last 6 months and 50% of the 18-app portfolio currently active.
Company profile
medium confidence- Employees
- 1-10
Portfolio
What does And a Dinosaur ship?
Apps
21 apps analysed
Analysis in progress
Single-market publisher, every app ships only to United States.
Based on 6 of 21 apps with localized market data, more coverage rolling in as scans complete · last scanned .
Americas (1)
- United States6 / 6
Core markets (6/6 apps)
User Sentiment
How do users feel about their apps?
1
Positive apps
1
Neutral / mixed
0
Negative apps
65/100
Avg sentiment score
Unlock the app dragging this portfolio down.
Access the full report for freeRivals
Who does And a Dinosaur compete with?
The rivals identified
Nemeses(3)
This app dominates the cloud-integrated music player niche with massive scale and consistent feature updates.
Both platforms target mobile-first bloggers seeking to simplify publishing, with Gibberish Writer using a messaging interface and Micro.blog using a social timeline.
Both apps compete for Safari extension real estate by modifying default video playback behavior for users.
Contenders(3)
Both apps function as Safari extensions that modify web video playback behavior, competing for the same browser utility market.
This app serves the exact same local-file playback niche with a significantly higher update frequency.
A strong alternative for users seeking cloud-based music management within the same category.
Same space(21)
This tool caters to technical bloggers who require local file control, contrasting with the messaging-style simplicity of Gibberish Writer.
AdGuard provides broader system-wide ad blocking for Safari, whereas Baking Soda is limited to video player replacement.
This tool offers AI-driven writing assistance for professionals, providing a technical alternative to the manual composition experience of Gibberish Writer.
Focuses on audio processing utility, serving as a functional complement to standard music players.
Banish focuses on blocking 'Open in App' popups, which is a narrower scope than Baking Soda's full video player replacement.
BROWSER with TV Remote is a standalone browser, while Baking Soda is an extension for the native Safari browser.
Cookie Editor manages browser data, serving a technical audience distinct from Baking Soda's video-focused users.
This app functions as an administrative companion for Ghost publication owners, focusing on site management rather than the act of writing.
Vidimote adds playback controls to existing players, whereas Baking Soda replaces the player entirely with a native HTML tag.
Wipr 2 competes for the same privacy-conscious Safari user base but focuses on general ad blocking rather than video player customization.
Vidium Extension uses a similar 'playsinline' attribute injection method to Baking Soda for video behavior modification.
Operates within the music ecosystem by providing analytical insights rather than playback functionality.
Acidity provides automated redirection to archives, serving a different utility need than Baking Soda's video player replacement.
OverPicture focuses specifically on Picture-in-Picture functionality, which is a subset of the features Baking Soda provides.
Full Screen for Safari adds display controls, whereas Baking Soda focuses on the underlying video player technology.
This platform targets the same mobile-first creator demographic as Gibberish Writer but focuses on offline-first drafting for travel environments.
Super Agent automates cookie consent, addressing a different category of web browsing friction than Baking Soda's video player focus.
Rekt combines popup blocking with AMP redirection, offering a broader set of web-cleaning features than Baking Soda.
This app provides a management interface for Google Blogger users, serving as a utility for existing blog owners rather than a standalone writing tool.
EXTENSION.app offers a broader suite of browser utilities including file management and PiP modes, contrasting with Baking Soda's single-purpose focus.
Video Speed Controller addresses the same playback speed needs as Baking Soda but relies on an outdated codebase.
New entrants(3)
VidBrowse is a dedicated browser for video, whereas Baking Soda enhances the existing Safari experience.
Plainview is a direct competitor to Baking Soda, as both replace YouTube's player with a native HTML5 tag.
An emerging threat that combines playback with active audio manipulation tools, showing recent development activity.
The Analyst's Read
The bottom line on And a Dinosaur
Bottom line
And a Dinosaur is a well-positioned indie studio that has successfully captured the 'pro-user' iOS segment by solving platform-level browsing annoyances. Their disciplined focus on technical Safari extensions provides a clear competitive advantage in a niche often underserved by larger publishers.
Frequently asked questions
How many apps does And a Dinosaur publish?
What kind of apps does And a Dinosaur make?
What is And a Dinosaur's top app?
In how many countries are And a Dinosaur's apps available?
What fed this analysis
- Apps analyzed:
- 18
- With full intel:
- 1
- With overview:
- 18
- Website scraped:
- yes
- Social presence:
- yes