Apple cuts commission to 5% for EU apps sideloading outside App Store

Apple has set a 5% commission rate for apps distributed through alternative channels outside its proprietary App Store in the European Union, a substantial reduction from its standard 15-30% fees charged on in-app purchases through its platform.

The decision comes after the EU's competition regulators mandated that Apple eliminate barriers preventing businesses from offering alternative app distribution methods. The regulatory intervention forced the company to fundamentally reshape its commercial practices in the bloc, one of its most important markets.

Under the new framework, developers can now direct users to purchase subscriptions and digital goods outside the App Store while paying Apple a significantly lower commission. This represents a major concession by the company, which has historically maintained tight control over app distribution and in-app purchases to protect its revenue streams.

The 5% commission structure applies to transactions facilitated through alternative app marketplaces and direct developer channels within the EU. Apple's compliance with EU antitrust orders underscores the growing regulatory pressure on technology giants across Europe to open their ecosystems and reduce monopolistic control over digital commerce.

The policy adjustment reflects broader shifts in how major tech platforms operate in Europe, where regulators have increasingly intervened to promote competition and protect developer interests. Similar pressures are mounting globally as regulators scrutinise the terms under which major platforms control app distribution and payments.