Apple Slashes App Store Fees to 15% for Small Developers
â–Ľ Summary
– Apple has launched a Mini Apps Partner Program that reduces its commission fee to 15% for mini apps, which are small applications running inside larger standalone apps.
– Developers must apply and meet safety and user experience requirements, such as implementing age controls and using Apple’s payment system, to join the program.
– The lower commission rate allows developers to retain more revenue from in-app purchases made within their mini apps.
– This initiative could lead to fewer traditional apps on phones, as users access multiple mini apps within a few main applications, reducing clutter and centralizing features.
– Apple benefits by earning commissions from mini app sales in platforms like WeChat, while the program aligns with regulatory pressures in Europe and China challenging its previous 30% fee.
Apple has introduced a significant change to its App Store fee structure, slashing the standard commission rate to 15% for developers of mini apps. This new Mini Apps Partner Program targets software that operates within larger host applications, rather than as standalone downloads. By offering this reduced rate, Apple aims to encourage more creators to build these lightweight applications using its proprietary technology.
Developers who wish to participate must submit an application and comply with specific safety and user experience guidelines. These include implementing age-appropriate content controls and integrating Apple’s own payment processing system to ensure secure and straightforward transactions. The lower commission means that developers retain a larger portion of revenue generated from in-app purchases, potentially boosting profitability for smaller teams and independent creators.
This shift could reshape how consumers interact with their mobile devices. Instead of managing a crowded home screen filled with numerous individual apps, users may gravitate toward a handful of comprehensive host applications that each contain multiple mini apps. This approach reduces digital clutter while offering a wider array of functions within a more streamlined interface.
From Apple’s perspective, the program represents a strategic expansion of its revenue streams. The company will now collect commissions from sales occurring inside mini apps hosted within major platforms like Tencent’s WeChat, transactions that previously fell outside its fee structure. This move comes amid increasing regulatory pressure in markets such as Europe and China, where authorities have questioned Apple’s App Store policies and commission levels. A recent ruling by a U.K. tribunal described the company’s standard 30% fee as excessive, suggesting that a fairer rate would be approximately 17.5%.
(Source: PYMNTS)
