Developers using a third-payment system will still pay 27% to be in the iOS App Store
Tim Hardwick, writing for MacRumors
Apple says it will take a 27% commission on purchases made in dating apps through third-party payment options in the Netherlands, in compliance with a Dutch regulatory ruling.
In an update on its developer support site, Apple said it would collect 27% commission instead of its usual 30% on transactions made in dating apps that use alternative payment methods. Apple says the decreased commission excludes the value for collection and remittance of taxes that the company carries out.
Michael Simon, writing for Macworld
Apple was blasted by developers on Twitter who took issue with the exorbitant fee. Steve Troughton-Smith called the move “absolutely vile” and said Tim Cook and the rest of the executive team should be “ashamed.” Marco Arment wrote that you “can just FEEL how much they despise having to do any of this.” Others noted that it “defeats the purpose of the law” and that developers will still need to pay at least 3 percent to the payment provider, thus negating even the small savings.
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While this system is limited to dating apps in the Netherlands, it’s a peek into how Apple will treat such orders around the world as the various regulatory cases are settled.
Ben Lovejoy, writing for 9to5Mac
I can only echo my earlier amazement at the incompetence of the company when it comes to protecting its most valuable asset: its brand image.
As an avid user of Apple products, I have a different perspective on this issue. Let me start by saying that I think the majority of the people carrying an iPhone are clueless about the rift going on between Apple and its developer community over the cost of being in the App Store. To bear this out, I took a quick survey of a few family and friends, who all use an iPhone. To a person, they all had no idea what I was talking about. So I take exception to Ben Lovejoy's comment that Apple's brand image is being damaged. Maybe it is with developers but not with its users.
This is a fight between Apple and its developers. Having been in the business world most of my adult life I side with Apple on this issue. Apple is the business owner. They get to charge whatever fuck they want for a developer to be in the App Store.
I get it, if a developer wants to be on the iPhone the only option they have is the App Store. This brings us back to the subject of sideloading. If Apple makes it available or is forced to developers would then have another option. Of course, distributing outside the App Store also comes with its costs and headaches. Here's what a Mac developer takes on when they go outside the App Store to distribute their product:
I think Apple should allow sideloading then iOS developers have a choice. Stay in the App Store or leave and distribute outside the App Store. That said, I don't think that sideloading is in the best interest of the majority of iPhone users for all the reasons that Apple gives.