Question 1

What percentage does Apple actually take from App Store revenue?

Accepted Answer

Standard rate: 30% for apps and one-time purchases. Reduced rates: 15% under the App Store Small Business Program (apps earning under $1M/year — you must actively enroll). Subscriptions: 30% in year 1, 15% from year 2 onward for continuous subscribers. In the EU under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), alternative payment processors are now possible but carry a Core Technology Fee.

Question 2

How is Google Play's commission different from Apple's?

Accepted Answer

Google Play applies 15% to the first $1M in annual earnings for ALL developers (not just small businesses), then 30% above $1M. For subscriptions, Google charges 15% from day 1 for all subscription durations — better than Apple's year-1 30% rate. This makes Google Play significantly more favorable for subscription-based apps in early growth.

Question 3

If I earn $500,000/year on both stores, what do they each take?

Accepted Answer

Apple (standard rate): $500,000 × 30% = $150,000 in fees, $350,000 net. Apple (Small Business Program, if enrolled): $500,000 × 15% = $75,000 in fees, $425,000 net. Google Play (all developers get 15% on first $1M): $500,000 × 15% = $75,000 in fees, $425,000 net. Google is definitively better at this revenue level regardless of program enrollment.

Question 4

Should I build for Apple or Google if minimizing fees matters most?

Accepted Answer

For revenue under $1M/year: Google Play is automatically 15% (vs 30% on Apple until you enroll in the Small Business Program). For subscription apps: Google is 15% from day 1 vs Apple's 30% for year 1. For revenue over $1M: both become 30%, leveling the playing field. Revenue level and app type (subscription vs one-time) are the key variables.

App Store Fee Leakage Modeler

Pricing & Store Variables