Apple has new in-app transaction commission rates for EU devs
Apple has published revised in-app purchase commission rates for developers distributing apps in the European Union, effective from 1 October 2026. The change replaces the contentious Core Technology Fee with a new Core Technology Commission applied directly to in-app transactions, marking the latest adjustment to Apple's business terms as it navigates ongoing legal disputes under the EU's Digital Markets Act.
The new structure sets multiple rates depending on how a transaction is processed: most developers using Apple's in-app purchase system will pay 15%, rising to 26% for those outside Apple's discount programmes. Apps using alternative payment tools face a 20% fee, while those linking out to complete purchases pay 15%, with participants in Apple's Small Business, Mini Apps Partner or Video Partner programmes receiving reduced rates as low as 10%. Apps distributed outside the App Store entirely will carry a flat 5% commission. The move follows Apple's recent loss in its bid to avoid stricter "gatekeeper" status under the DMA, alongside separate legal pressure in Germany and efforts in US courts to secure a 5-15% cut on third-party payment transactions.
- Apple replaces EU Core Technology Fee with new commission system from October
- Rates range from 5% to 26% depending on transaction type
- Follows Apple's DMA "gatekeeper" status defeat and other legal battles
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Apple runs the App Store, where developers offer apps to iPhone and iPad users. When people buy digital goods or subscriptions in an app, Apple may charge the developer a commission; the amount can depend on how the payment is handled and which Apple programme the developer joins.
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act sets rules for large technology companies it designates as “gatekeepers”, including Apple. The law is intended to make digital markets more open, and Apple’s app distribution and payment terms have faced scrutiny under it.
The dispute matters to developers because commissions affect how much they keep from sales and which payment options they can offer. It also raises questions about how the EU will enforce its rules on major technology platforms.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Apple provides substantial infrastructure, payment processing, fraud prevention, security systems, and distribution to millions of users—services that carry real operational costs. The company has restructured its rates to comply with EU regulation, offering meaningful discounts to small businesses through various programmes and permitting a 5% rate for apps distributed entirely outside the App Store, demonstrating flexibility. The tiered approach reflects genuine differences in the services provided, from full App Store support to minimal involvement, and represents a significant regulatory concession from Apple's previous model.
The case against
Even at reduced rates, Apple's commissions of 15–26% substantially exceed standard payment processor fees of around 2.9% plus transaction costs, suggesting the rates reflect market power rather than service delivery alone. The tiered structure, whilst appearing generous, still incentivises developers to use Apple's payment system (15%) over genuine alternatives (20%), perpetuating the gatekeeping that EU regulations sought to curtail. For developers with tight margins, these rates remain commercially onerous regardless of programme eligibility, and the complexity of multiple tiers may advantage large companies with resources to navigate them.