So, what’s going on with Musicboard?

Musicboard, a service centred on music discovery and community-based recommendations, has recently become the focus of growing concern among its users. Over the past several months, members of the platform’s community have reported recurring service interruptions. Reported issues include app outages, periods of website downtime, and the removal of the Android version from the Google Play Store.

These developments have unsettled what many describe as a small but highly dedicated user base. According to market intelligence firm Appfigures, Musicboard has been downloaded approximately 462,000 times so far. While the platform may not operate at a massive scale, it has cultivated a loyal following, with many users turning to online communities for updates and clarity on the app’s future.

On Reddit, users have expressed frustration, recommended alternative music-discovery tools, and offered one another support as they await official communication. Although it is not uncommon for smaller applications to wind down operations, users generally expect some level of transparency when an active community is still engaged with the product. In this case, many say they have received little to no communication, prompting some to contact the press in hopes of getting answers—particularly regarding the possibility of exporting their personal data if the platform were to shut down.

Amid the uncertainty, community members organised an informal initiative called “Help Save Musicboard.” The initiative is designed to bring greater attention to the app’s situation and encourage clearer communication from its operators. The campaign is led by a Musicboard user known online as Lavarini and is supported by volunteers from within the app’s community.

The outlet received a brief response; however, the statement did not address the broader, long-term issues raised by the community and instead framed the problems as temporary technical setbacks.

The statement, sent from the Musicboard team’s official email address and signed simply as “Musicboard,” stated:

“App is not shut down. The servers experienced temporary downtime, which has now been resolved. And we’re working together with the Google Play team to get the app back up there. The app wouldn’t shut down without a respectful timeline for the users and official communication. App is staying live.”

Musicboard’s co-founders, Johannes Vermandois and Erik Heimer, have also been engaged in other ventures. One such project, an AI-based application known as Frank AI, had been slated for acquisition by Freedom Holdings, Inc. That potential deal, however, was terminated in September 2024 after the prospective buyer withdrew its letter of intent. Frank AI is available on the App Store from Dreamsands, Inc., which also operates another application, Helm, a path therapy app.

Despite lingering questions regarding Musicboard’s operational stability, its community remains engaged. In an email, Lavarini indicated that the “Help Save Musicboard” initiative will continue to advocate for the platform and push for transparency.

As Lavarini describes it, the campaign’s purpose is to “support awareness and discussion around the long-term sustainability of the indie app Musicboard and its community,” underscoring the importance of open communication and accountability between developers and the users who rely on their services.