The App Store announced that a new Program, aimed to support app developers, would be launched on January 1, 2021. The App Store Small Business Program reduces the standard 30% commission to 15% for eligible developers.
Eligibility
If all apps on your Developer account earn less than $1M in 2020, you can send a request to participate in the Program.
If you surpass the $1M threshold, the standard 30% fee will apply to all revenue you receive after that threshold.
If your Developer account was excluded from the Program due to surpassing the $1M threshold and next year your revenue falls under it, you can reapply for the Program the year after.
What It Means
The commission reduction is meaningful for small businesses and indie developers — essentially doubling the margin on every sale or subscription. For studios just crossing into profitability, this can be the difference between sustainable growth and stagnation.
Google Follows
Google decided to join the initiative. It also affects only developers who earn less than $1M per year. The move was widely seen as a direct response to Apple's announcement and growing regulatory pressure on both platforms.
Both programs remain in effect. If you haven't enrolled and your revenue qualifies, it's worth checking the current eligibility criteria in your respective developer console.