Topic: developer fees
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Apple updates App Store rules to settle EU dispute
Apple will implement a single, uniform set of business conditions for all developers in the EU, ending regulatory friction over commercial terms and alternative app distribution. Effective October 1st, the new rules include a 5% Core Technology Commission fee on digital transactions for apps dist...
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Microsoft Store Now Lets Developers Publish Apps for Free
Microsoft has removed all fees for developers to publish apps on the Microsoft Store, making it free globally with just a personal account. This policy contrasts with competitors like Apple and Google, who still charge annual or one-time fees for their developer programs. The change aims to incre...
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Google hosts rival app stores in Play Store after Epic loss
Google now hosts the third-party game store Aptoide on the Play Store for US users, ending its exclusive status as a direct result of the antitrust ruling in Epic Games' 2023 lawsuit. Judge Donato's remedies required Google to distribute competing marketplaces, reduce fees, and allow alternative ...
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Google Play Store now allows outside payments
Google is rolling out new billing options on the Google Play Store, replacing the flat 30% commission with a variable fee structure. The new "decoupled fees" depend on factors like when the user first installed the app, the developer's earnings, and whether Google's billing system or a third-part...
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Strava tightens API access over zero-code AI apps and scrapers
Strava is introducing a $11.99 monthly fee for API access to combat a 448% surge in developer applications, unauthorized data scraping, and misuse by zero-code AI tools. The policy shift follows similar moves by Reddit and comes after Strava previously limited third-party data display and filed a...
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Google and Epic Settle Landmark App Store Antitrust Case
A landmark antitrust settlement between Google and Epic Games aims to create a more open Android ecosystem, allowing users to access apps from more sources and developers to face reduced costs. The settlement, negotiated after a court ruling against Google, includes provisions for lower Play Stor...
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Tim Sweeney Reveals Fortnite's Future After Apple Win
Epic Games won a major legal victory against Apple, with a U.S. court upholding a ruling that Apple must allow developers to link to external payment methods, ending what Epic's CEO calls arbitrary "junk fees." The court affirmed Apple cannot take its standard commission on these external purchas...
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Apple Loses Appeal in iOS Payments Contempt Case
A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Apple violated a 2021 injunction by imposing restrictive fees and rules on developers using external payment links, marking a significant legal setback for the company. The court found Apple acted in "bad faith" by dismissing compliant alternatives and...
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Google Play's New Fee: $2–4 Per App Install
Google is introducing new fees for Android developers who direct users to download apps outside the Play Store, including substantial per-install charges and commissions on in-app purchases. The proposed fee structure is facing legal scrutiny and opposition from Epic Games, with a court evaluatin...
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Apple's App Store antitrust battle explained
Apple, now dominant in mobile computing, faces global antitrust scrutiny similar to Microsoft in the 1990s, with critics targeting its control over the iOS ecosystem and App Store commissions. Legal and regulatory actions, including the EU's Digital Markets Act and a US lawsuit, have forced some ...
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Google's Epic Deadline: October 29th
The deadline for Google to implement court-ordered changes to its Google Play Store policies has been extended to October 29, 2025, following a joint request approved by the judge. The injunction requires Google to open its app ecosystem, stop mandating its billing system, and allow developers to...
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