Google Play and App Store Fees: List of Costs That App Owners Pay in 2025

Google Play and the Apple App Store only charge commissions when you sell something digital through their ecosystems. Publishing a free app with no digital sales doesn’t trigger a commission on either store. Where they differ is in account fees and how commissions are structured once you do monetize.

Here’s a quick summary of main things to consider:

• Developer accounts: Google Play charges a one-time $25 registration. Apple charges $99 per year for the Apple Developer Program (Enterprise is $299/year).
• What gets a commission: Paid app downloads and in‑app purchases of digital goods/services handled through each store’s billing system. Physical goods/services and most ad revenue are generally outside these commissions.
• Subscriptions and programs: Each store has specific rules for subscriptions and official programs that can reduce fees. Region-specific options (like alternative billing or EU frameworks) can also change how fees are calculated.

Next up, we’ll dive into Google Play first and cover free app fees, the registration cost, service-fee tiers for app sales and in‑app purchases, subscriptions, reduced‑fee programs, and regional options. 

Then we’ll break down the Apple App Store with the same level of detail so you can compare side by side and choose what fits your business.

Google Play — fees and programs

Let’s start with a list of common fees that matter for the most of apps in Play Store.

What fees does Google Play charge for free apps?

Free apps with no sales of digital goods or services pay no Google Play service fee. Publishing and updating a free app doesn’t incur per‑listing or per‑update charges. This is because Google’s service fee applies only to transactions for paid app downloads and in‑app purchases of digital content/services processed through Google Play’s billing or approved alternatives.

Does Google Play charge a yearly or annual developer fee?

No. Google charges a one‑time $25 USD developer registration fee to create a Play Console account, with no recurring annual fee from Google for the account itself.

How much does Google Play take from app sales?

Google applies a service fee to paid app sales and in‑app purchases using Google Play’s billing:

• 15% on the first $1M in earnings per year per developer after enrollment in the reduced‑fee tier
• 30% on earnings above $1M for the remainder of that year.

How much does Google charge for in‑app purchases on Google Play?

In‑app purchases of digital goods/services use the same tiered service fee:

• 15% up to $1M/year once enrolled
• then 30% above $1M

What is the Google Play service fee for subscriptions?

Automatically renewing subscriptions are charged a 15% service fee from the first day, regardless of overall annual revenue, when sold via Google Play’s billing.

What is the Google Play commission structure and reduced‑fee programs?

• Standard tiers: 15% for the first $1M/year (enrollment required), then 30% beyond.
• Subscriptions: 15% from day one for auto‑renewing subscriptions.
• Reduced‑fee programs: Eligible media apps participating in official programs (e.g., Play Media Experience Program) can qualify for rates of 15% or lower on eligible transactions per program terms.

Does Google Play support alternative billing and what fees apply by region?

Yes, Google Play supports alternative billing. In South Korea and India, approved alternative billing systems reduce Google’s service fee by 4 percentage points for those transactions; the EEA also has additional options and requirements under Google’s regional programs that alter how fees are calculated and reported.

Does Google Play charge for listing apps or updates?

No. Beyond the one‑time developer registration fee, there are no per‑listing or per‑update charges. The service fee applies only when selling paid apps or in‑app digital goods/services under Play’s billing policies.

What are the Google Play account setup requirements related to the 15% tier?

To receive the 15% rate on the first $1M/year, developers must enroll in the reduced‑fee program within Play Console and set up an Account Group. Once aggregate earnings across grouped accounts exceed $1M in a given year, the rate on additional earnings becomes 30% for the remainder of that year.

Apple App Store — fees and programs

This section provides an overview of most important fees app owners need to pay when operating in App Store.

What fees does the App Store charge for free apps?

Free apps with no sales of digital goods or services pay no App Store commission. Apple’s commissions apply to paid app downloads and in‑app purchases of digital goods/services processed via Apple’s in‑app purchase (IAP) system, while distributing a free app does not itself incur commission.

What is the Apple Developer Program registration fee?

Apple requires an active Apple Developer Program membership to distribute on the App Store, priced at $99/year for individuals and organizations. The Apple Developer Enterprise Program is $299/year for in‑house distribution to employees.

How much does Apple take from app sales and in‑app purchases?

Apple applies a commission to paid app downloads and IAP of digital goods/services:

• standard 30% rate and a reduced 15% rate for eligible developers in the App Store Small Business Program
• subscriptions typically qualify for a reduced 15% commission after the first year when using Apple’s IAP.

What App Store fees apply in the EU under DMA-related options?

In the EU, Apple offers additional distribution and payment options under its DMA compliance, which include modified commission choices and the potential for a core technology fee depending on the selected model. App developers must review Apple’s official EU program terms to understand the applicable fees and conditions.

Are physical goods/services and ads revenue subject to App Store commission?

Sales of physical goods/services are not required to use IAP and are not subject to App Store commission. Advertising revenue generally falls outside Apple’s IAP commission scope when not processed through IAP – Apple’s policies define IAP applicability to digital goods/services.

Does Apple offer programs that reduce commissions?

Yes. The App Store Small Business Program reduces commissions to 15% for eligible developers under its criteria. Subscriptions using IAP generally drop to a 15% commission after the subscriber’s first year, while eligibility and ongoing terms are defined by Apple’s official program documentation.

Google Play vs. Apple App Store — quick comparison by scenario

The table below shows a direct comparison of Google Play Store and Apple App Store fees for different scenarios.

Always check the official resources when launching an app

If you want to launch or manage a free app, you don’t pay commissions on either store – fees start when you charge for app downloads or sell digital goods and services, and Apple also requires an annual developer membership. 

Before launching an app, review the official Google Play and Apple documentation to confirm current commission tiers, subscription rules, regional options (like alternative billing or EU frameworks), and any program enrollments you may need so your pricing and compliance are up to date.