Microsoft Store Now Lets Developers Publish Apps for Free
▼ Summary
– Microsoft has eliminated its one-time $19 fee for developers to publish apps on the Microsoft Store worldwide.
– Individual developers in nearly 200 countries can now sign up using just a personal Microsoft account, with no credit card required.
– This move contrasts with Apple’s $99 annual fee and Google’s $25 one-time registration fee for their app stores.
– The change aims to create a more inclusive and accessible platform, reducing friction for global creators.
– The Microsoft Store supports various app types and allows developers to keep 100% of revenue from non-gaming apps using their own commerce systems.
Microsoft has officially eliminated all fees for developers looking to publish their apps on the Microsoft Store, making it completely free to onboard and distribute software. This major policy shift opens the door for individual creators across nearly 200 countries to submit applications using nothing more than a personal Microsoft account, with no upfront costs whatsoever.
The company began phasing out its previous $19 one-time registration charge earlier this year in select regions, and has now extended the waiver globally. This stands in stark contrast to competitors like Apple, which continues to enforce a $99 annual developer program fee, and Google, which requires a one-time payment of $25 for registration.
According to Chetna Das, a senior product manager at Microsoft, the removal of financial barriers, including the need for a credit card, addresses a significant point of friction that has historically limited global participation. She emphasized that this move is designed to foster a more inclusive and accessible environment, empowering a broader range of developers to innovate and succeed within the Windows ecosystem.
Over recent years, Microsoft has invested heavily in modernizing its storefront, introducing features like standalone installers, a refreshed web experience, and streamlined processes for downloading and installing applications. These efforts have contributed to strong growth, with the platform now boasting over 250 million active users every month.
The company is actively encouraging developers to take advantage of the store’s expanded capabilities, which support a wide array of app types including Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET, MAUI, and Electron. In a particularly developer-friendly move, Microsoft allows the use of third-party commerce systems for non-gaming apps, enabling creators to retain 100% of their revenue without sharing profits with the platform.
(Source: The Verge)
