Standard Commission and the Small Developer Discount
Apple's global default is 30%. A developer enrolled in the Small Business Program (whose net proceeds totaled under $1 million in the previous calendar year) pays 15%; if the threshold is crossed during the current year, the rest of the year reverts to the standard rate.
Google keeps the "first $1 million at 15% / above that 30%" structure in markets outside the EEA/UK/US (including Turkey), and defines this row as "developers enrolled in the 15% service fee tier" — the discount doesn't come automatically. In these three regions, though, the table has had three rows since June 30, 2026: on the first $1 million earned annually, both subscription and non-subscription transactions are 10% + 5% billing fee; on the standard row, subscriptions are 10% + 5%, and non-subscription transactions are 20% + 5% on new installs, 25% + 5% on existing installs.
Subscription Rate: Year 1 vs. Later Years
This is where the most structural difference lies. Apple has a time tier: subscriptions are 30% in the first year, dropping to 15% after one continuous year with no separate application needed. Under SBP there's no such tier — it's 15% from the start. A 60-day grace period reduces user loss on unrenewed subscriptions.
At Google, in remaining markets, a flat 15% applies to subscription revenue regardless of amount. In the EEA/UK/US, the rate is 10% service fee + 5% billing fee, and Google's table explicitly labels this column "new and existing installs" — install age plays no role at all in subscriptions. The result: an Apple developer without SBP pays 30% in year one, while Google stays in the 15% band from day one.
EU/DMA Terms and External Payment-Link Permissions
This is the fastest-changing area. Starting October 1, 2026, all apps distributed in the EU are subject to a single set of commercial terms; the old addenda are superseded by Exhibit 14 of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. The Core Technology Fee goes away, replaced by a 5% Core Technology Commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store; the Initial Acquisition Fee and Store Services Fee are removed. The EU table: Apple In-App Purchase 26%, 15% for program participants and subscriptions past their first year; in-app alternative payment processor 20% and 10%; external offer link 15% and 10% (within 7 days of the click).
Billing Fee and the Alternative Payment Cut
In Google's structure, the billing fee is a separate line item: in the EEA/UK/US, 5% is added on every digital purchase completed through Play Billing and on the first purchase of a paid app. That's why the "10% service fee" headline doesn't show the real cost — the total is 15%. Developers who redirect to an external web link are exempt from the billing fee but still pay the service fee. In South Korea and India, the service fee drops by 4 points under alternative billing.
At Apple, in the EU, the in-app alternative payment processor is subject to a 20% commission (10% for eligible programs), plus the third-party processor's own cut on top. The assumption that "alternative payment = automatically cheaper" is therefore wrong; the real savings depend on region and transaction volume.
Developer Account Fee and Registration Requirements
On Google Play, the criterion is clear: there's a one-time $25 registration fee that doesn't repeat annually. In exchange, personal accounts opened after November 13, 2023 face an additional testing requirement and device verification through the Play Console mobile app.
Apple Developer Program membership, on the other hand, is $99 per membership year; the price can vary by region in local currency. An organization account requires a legal entity and a D-U-N-S Number. Apple doesn't accept a doing-business-as (DBA) name or a fictitious business name. If you're looking for a low entry barrier, Google comes out ahead, but this line item quickly becomes insignificant next to the commission difference.
Review Process and Test Channels
Apple's model is centralized and human-heavy: every app goes through expert review, plus automated malware scanning. For apps distributed via alternative marketplaces or Web Distribution in the EU, there's additionally Notarization. Beta distribution is through TestFlight: up to 100 internal and up to 10,000 external testers.
On Google Play, the flow relies on staged test channels: internal test (up to 100 testers), closed test, open test, and production. You're required to fill out "App content" declarations before submission. No official average review time statistic is published. A developer who violates the rules can have their app removed, and on repeat violations, be removed from the program.