Apple is changing the way it charges developers in the European Union as it continues to adjust its App Store business model to meet the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company says the new fee structure will make its rules simpler while giving developers more options for distributing apps and processing payments outside the traditional App Store system.
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Under the new terms, Apple will introduce a 5% commission on digital transactions for apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or directly from developers’ websites. The changes are aimed at supporting a more open app ecosystem in the EU, where regulators have been pushing Apple to remove barriers that can limit competition.
The new system will take effect on October 1 and replaces several fees that developers previously faced. Apple said the updated structure removes its initial acquisition fee and store services fee, replacing them with a simpler commission-based approach.
The company is also changing the fees applied to apps that remain available through the App Store but use alternative payment systems. These apps will generally be subject to a 20% commission, although developers eligible for Apple’s small business programme may pay a lower rate of 10%.
Apple introduced changes to its European App Store rules last year after European regulators raised concerns about the company’s business practices. Authorities argued that some of Apple’s previous conditions made it difficult for developers to inform customers about alternative payment methods and distribution options.
One of the most controversial parts of Apple’s earlier system was the Core Technology Fee, which critics said could discourage developers from using alternative app marketplaces. The latest changes replace that approach with what Apple describes as a more straightforward Core Technology Commission.
Apple said developers operating in the EU will now have a single set of terms. The company also pointed out that the commission-based model is similar to approaches it has introduced in other markets, including Japan and Brazil, where regulators have also examined the company’s control over app distribution and payments.
The European Commission welcomed Apple’s announcement but made it clear that the changes will still be monitored. This means the dispute between Apple and EU regulators may not be completely over. Authorities will need to determine whether the new system delivers the level of competition and choice required under European law.
The announcement has also drawn criticism from Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite and one of Apple’s most prominent opponents in the long-running App Store fee battle. Epic described Apple’s new commission as unnecessary fees and argued that the changes do not go far enough to create genuine competition in mobile app distribution.
The debate highlights a much larger question about the future of smartphone platforms. For years, Apple has controlled how apps are distributed on iPhones and how developers collect payments from users. Regulators in different countries are now challenging that model, seeking to give developers greater freedom and consumers more choices.
For developers, Apple’s new European terms could provide a clearer path to using alternative marketplaces and payment systems. However, the real impact will depend on how developers respond and how strictly EU regulators enforce the DMA.
Apple’s latest move shows that the company is adapting its App Store model as regulatory pressure grows. Whether the new fee structure will satisfy European authorities and critics remains to be seen, but the changes could play an important role in shaping how mobile apps are distributed and monetized across the EU.
