--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Simplicity is hard to build, easy to use…" description: "\"Simplicity is hard to build, easy to use, and hard to charge for. Complexity is easy to build, hard to use, and easy to charge for.\" — Chris Sacca" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/chris-sacca-5443_complexity_simplicity-is-hard-to-build-easy-to-use_1417581.png" --- # Simplicity is hard to build, easy to use, and hard to… ![“Simplicity is hard to build, easy to use, and hard to charge for. Complexity is easy to build, hard to use, and easy to charge for.” quote by Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/chris-sacca-5443_complexity_simplicity-is-hard-to-build-easy-to-use_1417581.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/chris-sacca-5443_complexity_simplicity-is-hard-to-build-easy-to-use_1417581.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/chris-sacca-5443_complexity_simplicity-is-hard-to-build-easy-to-use_1417581.png) > “Simplicity is hard to build, easy to use, and hard to charge for. Complexity is easy to build, hard to use, and easy to charge for.” [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Building simplicity is difficult, yet it yields user-friendly products that are hard to monetize, whereas complex products are easier to monetize but harder for users. **In simple terms:** Simple designs are tough to create but great for users; complex ones are opposite. Key Takeaway Prioritize user-friendly design even if profit is harder. Themes design usability business models product strategy trade-offs Mood thoughtful strategic Type advisory reflective When to use this quote - startup product design - software development - consumer electronics - enterprise tools Key Concepts simplicity complexity monetization user experience product development Questions to Reflect On - How can you monetize a simple product effectively? - What value does simplicity bring to users? A Different Perspective Simplicity may limit revenue potential and require innovative pricing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Build Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build-easy-1019150/) [Charge Complexity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charge-complexity-5012133/) [Complexity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity/) [Complexity Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity-easy-5012132/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Simplicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simplicity/) [Simplicity Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simplicity-hard-802461/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [I prefer the simple things and I love walking in the countryside, or going camping... but simplicity is hard. It's easier to over-complicate things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bailey/i-prefer-the-simple-things-and-i-love-walking-in-the-countryside-or/) [Bill Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bailey/) > [Building a dreams with you is like building a house so hard to build but so easy to achieve..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-christy/building-a-dreams-with-you-is-like-building-a-house-so-hard-to-build/) [Donna Christy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-christy/) > [“Complexity looks at simplicity and laughs at it for being too simple. But this is stupidity. Which is more valuable? The drop of pure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/complexity-looks-at-simplicity-and-laughs-at-it-for-being-too-simple/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [A model is done when nothing else can be taken out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/a-model-is-done-when-nothing-else-can-be-taken-out/) [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) > [The beauty of simplicity is the complexity it attracts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-beauty-of-simplicity-is-the-complexity-it-attracts/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Sometimes complex questions of life have simplest of answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-complex-questions-of-life-have-simplest-of-answers/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Optimization hinders evolution. Everything should be built top-down, except the first time. Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-perlis/optimization-hinders-evolution-everything-should-be-built-top-down/) [Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-perlis/) > [Complexity creates confusion, simplicity focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/complexity-creates-confusion-simplicity-focus/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Complexity is not good. People don't understand the elegance of simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-willis/complexity-is-not-good-people-don-t-understand-the-elegance-of/) [Gordon Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-willis/) > [Abandon the urge to simplify everything, to look for formulas and easy answers, and to begin to think multidimensionally, to glory in the mystery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/abandon-the-urge-to-simplify-everything-to-look-for-formulas-and-easy/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [Beauty is more important in computing than anywhere else in technology because software is so complicated. Beauty is the ultimate defense against complexity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gelernter/beauty-is-more-important-in-computing-than-anywhere-else-in/) [David Gelernter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gelernter/) > [It's Twitter's combination of simplicity and complexity that is astonishing in the same way that minimalist sculpture was inspiring and enlightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-goldsmith/it-s-twitter-s-combination-of-simplicity-and-complexity-that-is/) [Kenneth Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-goldsmith/) > [The beauty of evolution is that it does provide an explanation of how you can get complexity out of simplicity. It does it by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-beauty-of-evolution-is-that-it-does-provide-an-explanation-of-how/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-perlis/simplicity-does-not-precede-complexity-but-follows-it/) [Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-perlis/) > [“Insofar as we appreciate order, it is when we perceive it as being accompanied by complexity, when we feel that a variety of elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/insofar-as-we-appreciate-order-it-is-when-we-perceive-it-as-being/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) ## More by Chris Sacca > [I don't have a boss or PR person, so I'm accountable to no one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-don-t-have-a-boss-or-pr-person-so-i-m-accountable-to-no-one/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [George Winston piano albums have been my go-to since junior high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/george-winston-piano-albums-have-been-my-go-to-since-junior-high/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [The passive acceptance of exclusionary words and deeds is not okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/the-passive-acceptance-of-exclusionary-words-and-deeds-is-not-okay/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [If you follow my tweets, you know, my attention and anxiety have been increasingly focused on the plight of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/if-you-follow-my-tweets-you-know-my-attention-and-anxiety-have-been/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [I have one of the self-driving Teslas; it drives itself periodically. It's a marvel of science, but it's still frightening. I think we've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-have-one-of-the-self-driving-teslas-it-drives-itself-periodically/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [What's success anyway? Is success about making the most money? No, money for the most part turns people into jerks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/what-s-success-anyway-is-success-about-making-the-most-money-no-money/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [I spent a lot of time learning how to define myself internally rather than externally. I learned how to care less about external validation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-spent-a-lot-of-time-learning-how-to-define-myself-internally-rather/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [Being a cheap bastard now means so much more freedom and choices later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/being-a-cheap-bastard-now-means-so-much-more-freedom-and-choices-later/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [You probably know me as a producer for 'This American Life', a top podcast in iTunes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/you-probably-know-me-as-a-producer-for-this-american-life-a-top/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [Uber is a better company with better math, better predictive supply, better brand, lower pickup times, higher quality of service. They'll absolutely win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/uber-is-a-better-company-with-better-math-better-predictive-supply/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [One of the things that struck me is how authentic 'Shark Tank' is. I don't know how more real it can be. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/one-of-the-things-that-struck-me-is-how-authentic-shark-tank-is-i-don/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [Facebook is who you used to know; Twitter is who you want to know and things you want to know more about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/facebook-is-who-you-used-to-know-twitter-is-who-you-want-to-know-and/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [I am retiring from startup investing. It's hard to leave all this behind right when things are going so well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-am-retiring-from-startup-investing-it-s-hard-to-leave-all-this/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [I don't drink coffee. Weird, I know. But I try to stay away from caffeine. That said, we are investors in Blue Bottle, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/i-don-t-drink-coffee-weird-i-know-but-i-try-to-stay-away-from/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [Planet colonization is not a short term concern of mine. The physical limitations of space travel render it low on the list for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/planet-colonization-is-not-a-short-term-concern-of-mine-the-physical/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) [Explore all 100 Chris Sacca quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) ## More Complexity quotes > [Programmers are always surrounded by complexity; we cannot avoid it… If our basic tool, the language in which we design and code our programs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hoare/programmers-are-always-surrounded-by-complexity-we-cannot-avoid-it-if/) [Tony Hoare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hoare/) > [From the 1990s onward, the financial sector created a vast array of instruments designed to separate investors from their money, financial derivatives of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-l-casti/from-the-1990s-onward-the-financial-sector-created-a-vast-array-of/) [John L. Casti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-l-casti/) > [Being actors we are dealing with the beauty and complexity of human confusion, no? And we are always trying to get answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-cruz/being-actors-we-are-dealing-with-the-beauty-and-complexity-of-human/) [Penelope Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-cruz/) > [ \[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy\] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world...… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-e-boulding/in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-chosen-taxonomy-a-set-of/) [Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-e-boulding/) > [The complexity increases exponentially when you try and combine two companies that both need to be restructured in their own right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-waitt/the-complexity-increases-exponentially-when-you-try-and-combine-two/) [Ted Waitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-waitt/) > [We're in this strange age where we can't say 'I love you,' at least not sincerely. It's something where, if you simplify it, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoffer-boe/we-re-in-this-strange-age-where-we-can-t-say-i-love-you-at-least-not/) [Christoffer Boe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoffer-boe/) > [I've realized that life is indeed full of contradictions. Sometimes its crazy to be sane.You need to fall to fly. People suffer because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-realized-that-life-is-indeed-full-of-contradictions-sometimes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Calvin: The more you know, the harder it is to take decisive action. Once you are informed, you start seeing complexities and shades of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/calvin-the-more-you-know-the-harder-it-is-to-take-decisive-action/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [As we get more transparent with data sets about infrastructure and systems management, I have a feeling we'll see big changes in how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-koblin/as-we-get-more-transparent-with-data-sets-about-infrastructure-and/) [Aaron Koblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-koblin/) > [Show me a person without prejudice of any kind on any subject and I'll show you someone who may be admirably virtuous but is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-lacy/show-me-a-person-without-prejudice-of-any-kind-on-any-subject-and-i/) [Allen Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-lacy/) > [We're all complex human beings, and if some of that complexity shows through, I think it's advantageous for the movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-de-bont/we-re-all-complex-human-beings-and-if-some-of-that-complexity-shows/) [Jan de Bont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-de-bont/) > [The base of artistic pursuit is ambivalence and complexity. And that's what I try to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-perez/the-base-of-artistic-pursuit-is-ambivalence-and-complexity-and-that-s/) [Fernando Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-perez/) > [If you want to gain market share at your competitor's expense - look for a customer that's suffering from too much complexity and simplify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cohan/if-you-want-to-gain-market-share-at-your-competitor-s-expense-look/) [Peter Cohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cohan/) > [What music is better able to do than language is to represent the complexity of human emotional states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levitin/what-music-is-better-able-to-do-than-language-is-to-represent-the/) [Daniel Levitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levitin/) > [I have become convinced, through my studies, that the only way to achieve a safe, just and viable world is to live by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/i-have-become-convinced-through-my-studies-that-the-only-way-to/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) [Browse all 1,258 Complexity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Simplicity is hard to build, easy to use, and hard to charge for. 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