Independent developers are individuals or small teams who create software, applications, or games without the backing of large companies. They often work on projects that reflect their personal interests or innovative ideas, allowing for greater creative freedom. Many independent developers use platforms like GitHub to share their work and collaborate with others. These developers typically rely on self-funding, crowdfunding, or sales from their products to sustain their work. They contribute significantly to the tech community by introducing unique solutions and diverse perspectives, often leading to the development of niche applications that cater to specific user needs.