Apple App Store Commission Fees Explained for U.S. Apps

For decades, apps listed in the Apple app store were required to use Apple’s payment system and pay hefty fees. Many app developers were frustrated by the expensive restrictions, but it wasn’t until 2020 that an app decided to do something about it.

Epic, a U.S. video and software development company, circumvented Apple’s payment policy by installing a link in a popular video game that routed users to their website for payment instead of using Apple’s payment system.

The bold action ignited a legal battle that eventually led to a groundbreaking ruling: Apple had to allow external payments.

Today, apps in the U.S. storefront have options: implement the app store’s built-in payment technology or build external payment links. An external payment link sends users to a developer’s website for payments instead of using Apple’s payment system. Once on the developer’s website, a user can make a purchase that is routed through a merchant account with an acquiring bank — just like any other online business.

Using Apple’s payment system comes with a hefty fee: 30% of annual revenue. Apple says the fee covers features such as, “technology, tools, software for app development and testing, marketing efforts, platinum-level customer service, and distribution of developers’ apps and digital content.”

When the courts forced Apple to allow alternative payment methods, Apple complied — but maintained an expensive 27% fee.

Epic took Apple back to court and said the fee was excessive — and the judge agreed. As of April 2025, Apple has explicitly been banned from collecting commissions for external payments. However, Apple has appealed the court’s decision, and a verdict has yet to be reached.

As of August 2025, the following fees apply to payments processed with and without Apple’s payment system.

Note: These fees apply to the U.S. storefront only. E.U. apps have a very different fee structure. Apps in all other regions — outside the US and EU — also pay the 30% commission fee, but they don’t have the option to use external payment links.

Choosing the best payment strategy

Are you wondering if external payments would be a good fit for your app?

Looking at pricing alone, it seems like a no brainer. If you switch to external payments, you will probably save $25+ for every $100 in revenue (depending on your chosen bank’s processing fees).

But when you dig a little deeper, there are even more benefits of switching.

• Increased conversions
• Increased earning potential
• More data
• Quicker payouts
• Fewer chargebacks

There is one thing to note before you switch.

Apple’s payment system is an all-in-one solution. The technology allows you to process payments, obviously, but it also detects fraud and manages chargebacks.

When you choose an external payment provider, make sure you find another all-in-one solution — like AltoPay. You want to replace — perhaps even improve — the solutions you already had in place with Apple.

Want to know more? Check our detailed guide.

Should an App Use Apple Payment Platform or External Payment Links?