Railgun Labs, LLC is an independent software company founded and operated by me (Henry). I started programming in my early teens, earned a Computer Science degree, and worked professionally as a software engineer and manager at Big Corp™ before striking out on my own.
Timeless Software
I remember the days when software came in physical boxes, sold at brick-and-mortar stores, and you paid a one-time price to own it. Unfortunately, many in the software industry have trended toward subscription models, dark patterns, and normalized day-one patches. Railgun is proudly an old-school software company where quality, transparency, and user-first principles are at the forefront. Here’s what that means for you:
- Transparent Prices: All prices are public and offered for a flat fee. No subscription models, no royalties, and no advertisements — just straightforward, honest pricing.
- World-class Service: When you download my software, you’re getting a polished, cohesive product created from a single vision. When you need support, you get it directly from the person who wrote the software and owns the company.
- Craftsmanship is Everything: I believe in shipping products when they are done and not before. I do not believe in rushing products to market or treating my users like beta testers. I prioritize performance and respect my users hardware. Even this website is carefully optimized.
- Built for Me, Built for You: Every piece of software I develop is something I use myself. If there’s a need for more functionality, I experience it firsthand. If there are pain points, I feel them. This isn’t a marketing strategy — it’s a fundamental part of my development process.
- Remaining Independent: I’ve consciously chosen to reject investor funding because I believe true innovation thrives on independence. My focus is on what’s best for my users, not on meeting short-term financial goals.
- Authenticity: I’m not a big corporation and I won’t pretend to be one. Authenticity and honesty are too important to me. I’m a solo developer, and this is my dream company.
Commitment to Longevity
I understand the concerns businesses may have when entrusting their software needs to an independent creator. That’s why I offer business licensees full access to my software’s source code. Should anything happen to me, you won’t be left in the dark. You’ll have access to the code, allowing your team to continue operating and evolving the software without interruption. This way, you’re always in control of your software’s future.
Know Whose Behind the Code
Being unapologetically solo and independently owned grants me the privilege of building a genuine relationship with my users. Here are some fun facts about me and my company:
What kind of software do you write?
Whatever kind I want. Right now I’m focused on embedded systems and systems software. My primary audience is businesses and individual developers.
Where did the name “Railgun Labs” come from?
I named the company after my favorite gun from Quake II. I also enjoy the aesthetic of early Hollywood mad scientist laboratories (see Dr. Frankenstein’s lab in the 1931 movie “Frankenstein”).
How do I follow your progress?
You can keep up-to-date with Railgun news by subscribing to the Journal with your RSS, Atom, or JSON feed reader of choice.
What’s up with the nerdy looking guy?
That’s the company mascot: Dr. Chip Codewell. He embodies the spirit of computer science and is loosely inspired by “mad” scientist tropes. He represents my dedication to innovation and problem-solving.
Are you really a solo developer?
Yes. I write all the code and documentation, I designed the website and made its graphics, and I handle all sales, marketing, and customer support myself.