Apple updates EU App Store fees to meet DMA rules

Starting October 1, Apple will implement a revised fee structure in the European Union designed to align with the Digital Markets Act. Under the new rules, the company is introducing a simplified system that replaces several older acquisition and store service fees. Crucially, Apple will apply a flat 5% Core Technology Commission on digital sales for software distributed outside its official marketplace or via the web.

For applications remaining on the App Store, the commission rates depend on the payment method. Apps utilizing Apple's standard In-App Purchase system will face a 26% commission, which drops to 15% for members of the Small Business, Mini Apps, or Video Partner programs, as well as auto-renewing subscriptions after their first year. If developers choose alternative payment processing, the commission is set at 20%, or 10% for the preferred developer programs. For developers who opt to link out of their apps to complete transactions, Apple will charge a 15% commission, reduced to 10% for those in the discounted programs.

For iOS practitioners, these changes offer unprecedented flexibility, allowing them to present Apple's native payment system alongside alternative payment options. However, new rules apply to user safety. Apps in the Kids category are prohibited from linking to external websites for transactions, and any alternative payment systems used in children's apps must mandate parental approval. Additionally, all alternatively distributed applications must undergo Apple's Notarization service to verify basic functionality and security before installation.

While the European Commission welcomed the adjustments, major competitors remain highly critical. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney dismissed the update as a "junk fee structure," and the Coalition for App Fairness argued the high fees continue to block genuine competition. Nevertheless, the revised structure represents a significant shift for developers calculating their platform costs, especially when compared to alternative platforms like Epic, which charges a flat 12% commission but offers a more limited infrastructure.