Most of the internet is built to be bigger than it needs to be. Dashboards expand, features multiply, and simple tasks slowly turn into workflows. But somewhere beneath the noise, small web apps continue to exist quietly—tools that do one oddly specific thing and then get out of the way.
They rarely advertise. They don’t try to become platforms. They just solve a narrow problem with surprising precision. And once you find them, it’s hard to forget they’re there.
Table of Contents
- Why Discovery Matters
- 1. Pointer Pointer
- 2. FutureMe
- 3. Radio Garden
- 4. Window Swap
- 5. Little Big Details
- Bonus Mentions
- Conclusion
Why “Tiny Web Apps That Solve Very Specific Problems Perfectly” is worth your time
They offer fresh experiences: Not everything online needs an account, a subscription, or a learning curve. Sometimes the most refreshing discoveries are tools that load instantly and make sense in seconds.
They break routine: When most browsing follows the same handful of destinations, stumbling onto something small and purpose-built feels different. It reminds you the web is still experimental at the edges.
They spark small moments: A precise utility or a strangely specific idea can shift your mood for a few minutes. That’s often enough.
The following sites are browser-based, focused, and slightly strange. Each one solves a very specific problem—no more, no less.
1. Pointer Pointer : Finds a photo of someone pointing exactly at your cursor
What it is:
Move your mouse anywhere on the screen, and the site loads a photo of a person pointing directly at your cursor’s position.
Category:
Fun / Micro-Entertainment
Why it stands out:
- It solves a “problem” no one actually has, but does it flawlessly.
- The constraint is absolute: every image must align with your cursor.
- It feels like a tiny internet magic trick that never over-explains itself.
Best for:
A quick reminder that the web can still be playful in small, precise ways.
2. FutureMe : Send an email to yourself in the future
What it is:
A simple tool that lets you write an email now and schedule it to be delivered to your inbox months or years later.
Category:
Reflection / Personal
Why it stands out:
- The interface is stripped down to just writing and choosing a date.
- It reframes email as a time capsule instead of communication.
- It quietly encourages reflection without feeling like a journaling app.
Best for:
Anyone curious about what their present self might want to tell a future version.
3. Radio Garden : Spin a globe and tune into live radio stations worldwide
What it is:
An interactive globe that lets you click into live radio broadcasts from cities around the world.
Category:
Audio / Exploration
Why it stands out:
- The only interface is a spinning Earth dotted with stations.
- It turns passive listening into geographic wandering.
- It reveals how different places sound in real time.
Best for:
Slow evenings when you want background sound from somewhere you’ve never been.
4. Window Swap : Look through someone else’s window
What it is:
A collection of short, user-submitted videos filmed from windows around the world. One click swaps you to another view.
Category:
Ambient / Visual Escape
Why it stands out:
- There are no filters, feeds, or comments—just views.
- Each clip captures ordinary life from a fixed point.
- It feels intimate without being intrusive.
Best for:
Moments when your own surroundings feel a little too familiar.
5. Little Big Details : A gallery of thoughtful design decisions
What it is:
A curated collection of screenshots highlighting small design touches in apps and websites—tiny animations, clever microcopy, subtle interactions.
Category:
Design / Observation
Why it stands out:
- It focuses only on the details most people overlook.
- Each example is brief and visually self-contained.
- It trains you to notice nuance rather than features.
Best for:
Anyone who enjoys seeing how small choices shape everyday digital experiences.
Bonus Mentions
Zoomquilt
https://zoomquilt.org
An endlessly zooming collaborative artwork that pulls you deeper into illustrated worlds without ever loading a new page. It’s hypnotic in a slow, continuous way.
This Person Does Not Exist
https://thispersondoesnotexist.com
Refresh the page to generate a photorealistic face created by AI. The site does one thing only, and its simplicity makes the effect more striking.
Loopy
https://ncase.me/loopy/
A tiny simulation tool that lets you draw circles and arrows to model feedback loops. It’s approachable enough for beginners yet surprisingly expressive.
Music for Programming
https://musicforprogramming.net
A long-running collection of carefully selected mixes designed for deep focus. The interface is minimal, centered entirely on listening.
Final Assessment
The most useful tools online don’t always rise to the top of search results. Many stay tucked away, passed between people who happen to stumble onto them during a late-night scroll or a quiet afternoon.
What makes these tiny web apps memorable isn’t scale—it’s precision. Each one commits to a narrow purpose and fulfills it completely. No dashboards, no expansions, no attempt to become something bigger.
In a web built on constant updates and growing feature lists, there’s something grounding about tools that remain small. Discovery, in this corner of the internet, feels less like chasing the next big thing and more like noticing what was quietly working all along.