🥧 How Apple Takes a Slice of Every Pie

The app stores charge developers a 15–30% commission for their services. In comparison, most payment processors charge about 3%, and hosting your app independently costs next to nothing. They “justify” it by claiming they built the platform and therefore deserve a cut.

But let’s flip the script. If developers suddenly pulled all their third-party apps from the platform, wouldn’t customers leave the platform entirely? By that logic, doesn’t Apple owe developers a cut of iPhone profits? (Spoiler: don’t hold your breath waiting for that check.)

Here’s the kicker: if I make a Mac app and sell it outside the Mac App Store, Apple takes 0% commission. That’s how software distribution traditionally works. The only difference now is that for iOS, you must distribute through their store.

What makes this even worse is Apple’s fights to force some companies to turn free apps into paid ones—just so they can take “their cut.” (Hey, More Info)

The bottom line: app stores take an unfair commission. However, with new regulations like the DMA in the EU, there’s a sliver of hope that things might finally change.