Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Common Sense

A book of 100 practical, short lessons for founders

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Common Sense launched in 2023; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   The Minimalist Entrepreneur▲316

   Learn how great founders do more with less

   2021 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Simplified Entrepreneurship E-Book▲73

   Simplifying the art of start-ups and building a value loop.

   2021 · thefoundingcompany.gumroad.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Finance for Founders▲273

   Startup finances 101 - videos, templates & tools for free

   2022 · usecaribou.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Startup 101▲268

   Bite-sized startup lessons every founder should master

   2022 · app.formaloo.me · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Simplified Entrepreneurship▲84

   Simplifying the art of starting-up and building a value loop

   2021 · its alternatives →

6. 6
   The Startup Playbook▲548

   How-to guide for building your startup from the ground up

   2018 · startup-playbook.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Resources for Early-Stage Founders▲371

   Dozens of templates, articles & videos to help you grow

   2024 · groundup.vc · its alternatives →

8. 8
   The Startup Book Club▲132

   Read the books most recommended by founders and pioneers.

   2018 · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Founders' Book 2.0▲105

   World's largest library of tools and resources for founders

   2021 · foundersbook.co · its alternatives →

10. 10
    40 Semi-Obvious Lessons▲62

    Quick reference book for building a startup/business

    2016 · asha-labs.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    How To Build An App Business With No Technical Background▲71

    A mobile app business guide for non-technical founders.

    2015 · gumroad.com · its alternatives →

12. 12IW
    I wrote a guidebook on everything I know about applying to Y Combinator▲177

    2012 · guidetoyc.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Zero To Founder▲222

    A book to help you build profitable products

    2023 · upen.gumroad.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Startup Patterns▲408

    Bite-sized startup lessons for busy founders

    2016 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Clerky Handbooks for Startup Founders▲109

    Concise handbooks for founders, written by startup attorneys

    2023 · handbooks.clerky.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Start Small, Stay Small▲66

    A developer's guide to launching a startup

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    The Founder Library▲240

    A learning portal to help startup founders go further faster

    2020 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    LearnGPT for startup founders▲91

    Personalised playbooks and P2P learning for founders

    2023 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Founders' Book▲30

    Yellow pages for first-time founders & early-stage startups.

    2021 · foundersbook.co · its alternatives →

20. 20
    The Startup Library▲267

    Where founders come to learn

    2022 · launchhouse.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Getting Real▲234

    The smarter way to build web apps. A free book by 37signals.

    2015 · basecamp.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Startup Communities▲241

    How to build communities of entrepreneurs

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Lean Validation Playbook▲73

    A guide on how to validate your startup idea, quickly

    2016 · leanvalidation.hanno.co · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Startup Academy▲247

    200+ videos that help you become a better founder

    2022 · basetemplates.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →