\nApple\u00ae today announced an industry-leading new developer program to accelerate innovation and help small businesses and independent developers propel their businesses forward with the next generation of groundbreaking apps on the App Store\u00ae. The new App Store Small Business Program will benefit the vast majority of developers who sell digital goods and services on the store, providing them with a reduced commission on paid apps and in-app purchases. Developers can qualify for the program and a reduced, 15 percent commission if they earned up to $1 million in proceeds during the previous calendar year.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe App Store Small Business Program, which will launch on January 1, 2021, comes at an important time as small and independent developers continue working to innovate and thrive during a period of unprecedented global economic challenge. Apps have taken on new importance as businesses adapt to a virtual world during the pandemic, and many small businesses have launched or dramatically grown their digital presence in order to continue to reach their customers and communities. The program\u2019s reduced commission means small developers and aspiring entrepreneurs will have more resources to invest in and grow their businesses in the App Store ecosystem.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of our global economy and the beating heart of innovation and opportunity in communities around the world. We\u2019re launching this program to help small business owners write the next chapter of creativity and prosperity on the App Store, and to build the kind of quality apps our customers love,\u201d said Tim Cook, Apple\u2019s CEO. \u201cThe App Store has been an engine of economic growth like none other, creating millions of new jobs and a pathway to entrepreneurship accessible to anyone with a great idea. Our new program carries that progress forward \u2014 helping developers fund their small businesses, take risks on new ideas, expand their teams, and continue to make apps that enrich people\u2019s lives.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nWhile the comprehensive details will be released in early December, the essentials of the program\u2019s participation criteria are easy and streamlined:\n<\/p>\n
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- \nExisting developers who made up to $1 million in 2020 for all of their apps, as well as developers new to the App Store, can qualify for the program and the reduced commission.\n<\/li>\n
- \nIf a participating developer surpasses the $1 million threshold, the standard commission rate will apply for the remainder of the year.\n<\/li>\n
- \nIf a developer\u2019s business falls below the $1 million threshold in a future calendar year, they can requalify for the 15 percent commission the year after.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nThe App Store\u2019s standard commission rate of 30 percent remains in place for apps selling digital goods and services and making more than $1 million in proceeds, defined as a developer\u2019s post-commission earnings. Earlier this year, an independent study by the Analysis Group found that Apple\u2019s commission structure is in the mainstream for app distribution and gaming platforms.\n<\/p>\n
\nSmall business owners will continue to benefit from Apple\u2019s unparalleled suite of developer tools \u2014 including development applications, programming languages, a secure payment interface, and more than 250,000 essential software building blocks called APIs. Apple is committed to giving developers the tools to turn their brightest ideas into apps that change the world. Tools like HealthKit\u2122 give engineers secure access to user health data, ARKit\u00ae empowers developers to explore new frontiers of augmented reality, and Core ML\u00ae harnesses the speed and intelligence of machine learning to help developers build powerful features with just a few lines of code.\n<\/p>\n
\nEarning the trust of users and developers has been an important goal of the App Store from the beginning. It\u2019s why every one of the 1.8 million apps on the App Store undergoes a review process that developers and their customers can rely on \u2014 one that helps make sure every app is reliable, performs as expected, is free of objectionable content, and upholds the highest standards to protect users\u2019 privacy and security.\n<\/p>\n
\nDevelopers of all sizes have built successful businesses while benefitting from the App Store\u2019s global reach encompassing users of the more than 1.5 billion Apple devices around the world in 175 countries and over 40 languages, with more than 180 local payment methods and 45 accepted currencies. In 2019 alone, the App Store ecosystem facilitated $519 billion in commerce worldwide \u2014 with over 85 percent of that total accruing solely to third-party developers and businesses of all sizes. The new App Store Small Business Program will build on that progress to generate even more digital commerce and app innovations, support new jobs, and help small and independent developers continue to bring great software to Apple users.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe App Store, which launched in 2008, is the world\u2019s safest and most vibrant app marketplace, currently offering 1.8 million apps and visited by half a billion people each week. It helps creators, dreamers, and learners of all ages and backgrounds connect with the tools and information they need to build a brighter future and a better world.\n<\/p>\n
\nApple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple\u2019s five software platforms \u2014 iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS \u2014 provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple\u2019s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.\n<\/p>\n
\nNOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com\/newsroom), or call Apple\u2019s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u00a9 2020 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, App Store, HealthKit, ARKit, and Core ML are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.\n<\/p>\n
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View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201118005376\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nApple
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Fred Sainz, (669) 227-0492
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sainz@apple.com
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Katie Clark Alsadder, (408) 974-9976
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kclarkalsadder@apple.com <\/a><\/p>\nKEYWORDS:<\/b> California United States North America<\/p>\n
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Software Technology Mobile\/Wireless Internet<\/p>\n
MEDIA:<\/b><\/p>\n
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Apple Announces App Store Small Business Program New program reduces App Store commission to 15 percent for small businesses earning up to $1 million per year CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple\u00ae today announced an industry-leading new developer program to accelerate innovation and help small businesses and independent developers propel their businesses forward with the next generation of groundbreaking apps on the App Store\u00ae. The new App Store Small Business Program will benefit the vast majority of developers who sell digital goods and services on the store, providing them with a reduced commission on paid apps and in-app purchases. Developers can qualify for the program and a reduced, 15 percent commission if they earned up to $1 million in proceeds during the … <\/p>\n