Apple earned more than $10 billion from App Store commissions in the US - developers file lawsuit
According to Appfigures, in 2024 alone, Apple received $10.1 billion in commissions from the US segment of the App Store. This explains why the company continues to persist in blocking third-party payment systems and app stores, even despite court decisions.
Here's What We Know
Apple charges up to 30% of the cost of in-app purchases and subscriptions, which many developers consider excessive. The company's revenues are growing every year: $4.76 billion in 2020, $6.67 billion in 2021, $7.37 billion in 2022, and $8.76 billion in 2023. According to global estimates, in 2024, Apple's revenue from the App Store reached $91.3 billion.
The company is currently under pressure: 100,000 developers have joined a class action lawsuit, demanding compensation for losses caused by Apple's continued charging of commissions even after a court banned it from doing so when using third-party payment systems.
Companies like Epic Games have already sued Apple over this policy. Epic Games accused Apple of failing to comply with a 2021 court ruling that allowed developers to bypass Apple's 30% commission on in-app payments. Apple continued to charge a 27% commission on any sales made through links to external payment systems.
Developers believe that Apple is abusing its position by creating a monopoly on the distribution of applications on its own devices.
Apple is appealing the latest court decision. If the appeal is successful, developers will again have to put up with a 30% fee - or leave the iOS ecosystem.
Source: Android Headline
