MeerGuard VPN

Problem

After a client project building a VPN app, I learned the tech stack: Xray, VLESS, server configuration. Started sharing VPN with friends, improving configs. The idea came to build a subscription service, but instead of going straight to an iOS app (long App Store approval, expensive development), I started with a Telegram bot to validate demand fast — then expanded to a Mini App, website and iOS client once the bot proved out.

Solution

Built a multi-platform product around a single backend: Telegram bot as the main entry point, Telegram Mini App and website for in-app management, iOS app for tunnel control. The bot handles the full subscription lifecycle: registration, plan selection, payment, key generation, server management. Four payment providers integrated (YooKassa for Russian cards, CryptoBot for crypto, Telegram Stars, Tribute). Backend on Python/Aiogram 3 with PostgreSQL, Redis and Celery for background tasks. 5 Docker containers in production. Admin panel inside the same bot: user management, broadcast messaging, promo codes (single and bulk), refund processing, payment analytics by provider. Referral system with two-sided bonuses. Integration with Remnawave panel via REST API for VPN server management across 8 countries.

Results

• +7000+ active users
• +4 client surfaces: Telegram bot, Mini App, website, iOS app
• +4 payment providers, 42 000+ payments processed
• +Breakeven by month 3. Subscriptions: ~$2/month, ~$5/3 months
• +Zero ad spend: organic traffic from YouTube
• +Full test coverage, clean architecture

Role & timeline

Co-founder. Started bot development and VPN setup. Now: YouTube promotion, management, advertising, tech decisions. Team: 1 backend developer (bot + backend), 1 DevOps engineer (VPN configuration), 1 full-stack developer (iOS, Android, Web, Mac)