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Comment by ExoticPearTree | Hacker News Reader

> App Store apps that communicate and promote offers for digital goods or services will be subject to new business terms for those transactions — an initial acquisition fee, store services fee, and for apps on the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, the Core Technology Commission (CTC). The CTC reflects value Apple provides developers through ongoing investments in the tools, technologies, and services that enable them to build and share innovative apps with users.

It is not very clear from the press release: will developers still have to pay Apple even if their apps are coming from 3rd party AppStores? And if so, how much?

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"The CTC will apply to digital goods or services sold by apps distributed from the App Store, Web Distribution, and/or alternative marketplaces."

So yes, they'll pay the Core Technology Commission, apparently it's 5%. The per download fee will be phased out.

Sooo if you can freely distribute your apps on iOS now and you can steer people to your website for purchases (eg outside the Appstore) - doesn’t that mean that you can get away from paying the 5%?

I believe Apple still needs to review and sign every app

I think there's at-least a 2% fee for that, but it's more convoluted than ever to calculate how much rent is owed for using your device.

No, see here: https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#...

“By January 1, 2026, Apple plans to move to a single business model in the EU for all developers. Under this single business model, Apple will transition from the Core Technology Fee (CTF) to the CTC on digital goods or services. The CTC will apply to digital goods or services sold by apps distributed from the App Store, Web Distribution, and/or alternative marketplaces.

“As of January 1, 2026, the CTC may be explicitly charged as a separate commission or, in certain cases, may be identified as a component of another commission and will apply to sales of digital goods or services usable in an app on Apple’s platforms. Additional details regarding this transition will be provided at a later date.”

I.e. this applies to all apps, regardless of distribution channel. Apple will likely control this via the app review that still happens as part of the Notarization process, in conjunction with the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement.

I think there are SMB exemptions for the fees, though.

Yes not clear at all, and intentionally so.

A legal press release.

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