Both Apple and Google have fees in their app stores, even if payment is made outside of them.
Apple has recently changed the App Store policies to to better adapt them to European lawsbut that has not been enough for many big developers like Epic or Spotify, who have called them illegal. However, these new App Store guidelines are very similar to those of Google with Google Play, even more beneficial for developers.
The Google’s guidelines have not been criticized by anyonedespite the fact that Android smartphones are the majority in almost all countries of the European Union. Something quite curious, to say the least.
Comparison between the App Store and Google Play guidelines
Our colleagues from 9to5mac have analyzed in detail the different fees that both Apple and Google charge developersespecially the rates when you download an app from its official store but the payment is made outside of it. And the results are quite interesting:
The conditions of Apple and Google are quite similar, although the same one is always criticized.
Initial acquisition fee
Both Apple and Google have this fee for apps that are downloaded from their stores but offer payments outside of them through a link to another website. This fee is due to the fact that The App Store or Play Store have been the means to connect with users. Remember that developers do not pay anything to upload their apps:
- Apple’s initial acquisition fee: a flat 5% fee for the first 12 months following an initial app download.
- Google Initial Acquisition Fee: 10% for purchases and 5% for subscriptions after two years. This fee applies for the first 24 months following an initial app download.
Store service fee
Besides, Apple and Google have another fee for their store servicesGoogle calls this the Ongoing Services Fee. This fee, according to Apple, reflects the services and capabilities provided to developers, such as app distribution and management, App Store trust and security, anti-fraud checks, recommendations, ratings and reviews, and other tools.
- Apple Store Services Fee (under EU Alternative Commercial Terms): 10%.
- Reduced to 5% for App Store Small Business Program members.
- 5% discount on subscriptions that renew after one year.
- The basic technology fee (0.50 euros for each download over one million) also applies. Apple says that 99% of developers will not pay it.
- Apple Store Services Fee (under standard commercial terms): 20%
- Reduced to 7% for App Store Small Business Program members.
- 7% discount on subscriptions that renew after one year.
- No basic technology fee.
- Google Ongoing Services Fee: 17% for in-app purchases or 7% for auto-renewing subscriptions.
Also, under Apple’s terms, if a user deletes an app and downloads it from an alternative app store, or stops receiving updates, the developers They will no longer be charged the store’s service fee.
However, Google will charge its ongoing services fee for two years before developers can choose to discontinue services, provided the user agrees.
For the vast majority of developers, The conditions offered by Apple are much better; the rates are lower than Google’s. Both companies have opted for a similar idea, although it remains to be seen whether these changes will convince the leaders of the European Union.