[vincentdm]

We built our (niche B2B) app on Bootstrap and keep getting compliments from customers about how good it looks. I don't mind that lots of graphic designers hate it; Bootstrap has provided tremendous value for us. I bought the templates just as a way to thank them :-)

[cyberferret]

+1. As a small development company with limited resources (read: one developer and no designated front end designer), Bootstrap gives me the opportunity to create a really nice looking web app without having to get bogged down with CSS details.

Plus the fact that there is a really rich ecosystem around Bootstrap with third party templates that are VERY well written and documented. I am not too proud to say that I routinely go to wrapbootstrap.com to purchase a template for ~$20 and use it as the basis for my web apps. Users love it, and I save having to hire or contract a dedicated front end designer.

[metamet]

When the world expects GridViews..

[onion2k]

You snark, but that is what the world expects - a grid gives the user a simple, tidy, and consistent layout across the whole of the app. It might be "boring" and it might result in an "all apps look the same" world, but it's hard to challenge when users claim they enjoy, and are willing to pay for, apps built with it.

Also, the whole "every app looks the same" opinion is only true if you're a developer or a serial startup beta tester. Most actual users who'll pay for your product don't see that many SaaS apps, so they don't realise so many apps use Bootstap. Their opinion counts for a lot more than a typical HN reader who might see it several times a day (obviously this isn't true if your market is HN readers).

[Too]

Plus, is it really a problem that every app looks the same? I consider that a feature. If i run a program on windows i expect it to have the same type of buttons as every other program. Why should i have to relearn what a button looks like just because someone feels that their app has to be unique.