Skip to main content

Google drops developer fees in the Play Store to as low as 10%

Google today announced new moves to make selling on the Play Store more attractive to developers. Currently, the company charges 30% for all subscription sales, then drops it to 15% after a year. Starting in 2022, developers will now be charged 15% on payments from the first day, while Google also moves to reduce fees for apps registered under the Play Media Experience Program to 10%.

“Digital subscriptions have become one of the fastest-growing models for developers, but we know that subscription businesses face specific challenges in customer acquisition and retention. We’ve worked with our partners in dating, fitness, education and other sectors to understand the nuances of their businesses,” Google’s Sameer Samat, vice president of product management, explained in an announcement. “Our current service fee drops from 30% to 15% after 12 months of a recurring subscription. But we’ve heard that customer churn makes it challenging for subscription businesses to benefit from that reduced rate. So, we’re simplifying things to ensure they can.”

Play Store apps.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The new fee structure kicks in January 1, 2022, and will benefit 99% of developers, Google says. This means that if you purchase a subscription from the Play Store after that date, Google will only charge the developer 15% of the total payment right from the start. Google will also make a change to apps and services under the Play Media Experience program. These apps were built with support for cross-platform experiences such as Google TV, Android Auto, Google Wear, and Google Cast in exchange for a reduced fee of 15%. Starting January 1, 2022, that fee will drop to as low as 10%,

Recommended Videos

Google’s new moves come after efforts from developers to challenge the Play Store and Apple App Store’s 30% fees as onerous. The company had made many preemptive moves in this regard, lowering the commission it charged for small businesses (earning under $1 million annually) to 15%. It wasn’t enough to stop some countries like South Korea from ordering it to open up its Play Store to alternate payment mechanisms, but moves like this will go a long way in quelling further dissatisfaction from developers and content providers. Google cites Bumble and Duolingo as examples of partners who have responded positively to this change.

Michael Allison
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A UK-based tech journalist for Digital Trends, helping keep track and make sense of the fast-paced world of tech with a…
Google I/O 2025: Everything you need to know
Colorful 3D shapes spell out the Google I/O logo for 2025.

It's almost the time of year for Google IO again, and, according to Google, this year's show will introduce software makers to the "newest developer tools and discover how they fuel innovation and enhance [your] workflow for maximum productivity."

Though the schedule has been released and there could be some surprises in store, we could hear more about Android 16, Android XR, and a host of updates for Google Gemini, Project Astra, and more. So let's dive in: here's everything you need to know about what we could expect at Google IO 2025 next month.
Google IO 2025: When will it happen?

Read more
Google One subscribers could get a hugely important eSIM feature
The Google Pixel 9a's screen.

In the modern world of eSIMs, you don't have to worry about keeping track of a postage-stamp-sized piece of tech to use your phone, but there is one glaring downside: if you break your phone, transferring the eSIM from the broken device to your new one leaves you at the whims of your carrier. A new update to Google Play Services suggests an alternative might be on the way in the form of eSIM backup as part of the Google One subscription.

Android Authority dug into Google Play Services v25.16.33, the latest beta version, and found references that suggested a SIM data backup. You can pretty safely rule out physical SIM cards here, since those aren't affected by data wipes. That leaves only eSIMs, and it would certainly make it easier to transition from one phone to another.

Read more
What is RTOS and is it the answer to Google’s Wear OS problems?
The OnePlus Watch 3 seen from the top.

Smartwatches are now over 25 years old, but just over a decade ago, Apple helped kickstart the current smartwatch industry with the launch of the original Apple Watch. From a focus on fitness to a selection of apps and whimsical watch faces, early smartwatches bore little resemblance to the current best smartwatches with which we’re now accustomed.

The only problem with the Apple Watch is that it was, and still is, exclusive to the iPhone. To answer this and capitalize on the demand for smartwatches from Android users, Google and its partners developed an Android-powered alternative. After many iterations, Wear OS was born, but it still faces several challenges many years later.

Read more