Apple has proposed a new commission structure that would take a 5-to-15 percent cut from purchases made outside the App Store through external links. The proposal comes as the company continues its legal battle with Epic Games over App Store policies.
The new structure would apply to purchases made through links to external websites, with a 15 percent rate for standard developers. This marks a significant shift from the traditional 30 percent commission Apple has charged for in-app purchases.
Apple's New External Payment Commission Structure
According to Firstpost, Apple has proposed a new commission structure for purchases made through links to external websites, including a 15 per cent rate for standard developers. The proposal is part of the ongoing legal proceedings between Apple and Epic Games.
The move represents a notable departure from Apple's long-standing App Store fee model. Developers have historically been required to pay a 30 percent commission on all digital purchases made within apps distributed through the App Store.
Context of the Epic Games Legal Battle
The proposal comes as Apple and Google continue to face Epic Games in court. The legal dispute has centered on how app store operators handle payments and what fees they can charge developers for transactions that occur outside their respective app stores.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple will reduce App Store cut to 15 percent for most developers starting January 1st. The company has also addressed fees on purchases made outside the App Store as part of this ongoing legal process.
What This Means for Developers
For developers, this proposed structure could mean lower fees when directing users to external payment options. The 5-15 percent range is notably lower than the standard 30 percent commission that has been a point of contention in the industry.
According to Forasoft, Apple's App Store commission runs 0-30% in 2026, with various legal ways to reduce it including the Small Business Program, US external links, reader apps, and web-first approaches.
"Apple has proposed a new commission structure for purchases made through links to external websites, including a 15 per cent rate for standard developers." — Firstpost
Our Take: A Strategic Move in a Long-Running Dispute
To put it plainly, this proposal is a significant concession from Apple, but it comes with clear strategic intent. By offering a reduced commission rate for external purchases, Apple appears to be trying to address one of the core complaints in the Epic Games case while still maintaining some control over the payment ecosystem.
The 5-15 percent range is meaningful — it's substantially lower than the 30 percent that has drawn criticism from developers and regulators alike. However, the fact that Apple is still proposing to take a cut from transactions that happen entirely outside its platform shows the company is trying to preserve its revenue stream even as it adapts to legal pressure.
For developers, this could be a welcome change if implemented. But the real question is whether this proposal will satisfy the courts and regulators who have been scrutinizing Apple's App Store practices. The outcome of the Epic Games case will likely determine whether this proposal becomes the new standard or just another chapter in an ongoing legal saga.
Readers should watch this space closely — the resolution of this case could reshape how app stores operate and how much developers pay to reach their customers.
