App Store Publishing Cost in 2026: Every Fee Explained

Published October 24, 2026 · Last updated October 24, 2026

App Store Publishing Cost: The Short Answer

Superapp users, Xcode developers and no-code builders all pay the same thing to publish on Apple's App Store: 99 USD a year for the Apple Developer Program. Google Play charges a one-time 25 USD. Those are the only mandatory publishing fees. What makes publishing feel expensive is everything around them: how you build and upload the app, and the commission on digital sales once the app earns money.

Quick answer: How much does it cost to publish an app on the App Store? Superapp users publish a native iPhone app for about $399 in the first year (Pro at $25 a month plus Apple's 99 USD), with no Mac needed. The Apple Developer Program itself is 99 USD per membership year, required for free and paid apps alike, and if it lapses your apps are no longer available for download. Google Play is a one-time 25 USD. On digital sales, Apple's standard commission is 30%, or 15% for subscriptions after the first year and for developers who enroll in the Small Business Program (under 1 million USD in proceeds). Sales of physical goods and services consumed outside the app pay no store commission. The biggest variable is not a fee at all: it is how you build the app, which ranges from free if you code it yourself on a Mac you own, to tens of thousands of dollars through an agency.

Every cost at a glance

Fees were checked on Apple's and Google's own pages on October 24, 2026.

The Apple Developer Program: 99 USD a Year

Every App Store app is published through an Apple Developer Program membership. Apple's membership page lists the fee as "99 USD per membership year, or in local currency where available." The same fee covers free apps, paid apps and apps with in-app purchases, and one account can publish as many apps as you like.

Is the 99 USD fee one-time or yearly?

Yearly. Apple's renewal page explains what happens if you do not renew: "your apps will no longer be available for download," and you cannot submit new apps or updates. People who already installed your app can keep using it. So the fee is an operating cost for as long as you want the app in the store.

Individual or organization account?

Apple's D-U-N-S page says you can request "a free D-U-N-S Number" from Dun and Bradstreet, and to allow up to 5 business days for it to be issued plus up to 2 business days for Apple to receive it; paying to expedite does not speed this up. For a full walkthrough of the account itself, see our guide to Apple Developer account cost.

Can you get the fee waived?

Sometimes. Apple's fee waiver page offers waivers to nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions and government entities. Individuals, sole proprietors and single-person businesses are not eligible, and you must not have signed the Paid Applications Agreement or sell digital goods or services. Nonprofits must be officially recognized in their region, for example by the IRS in the US.

The Enterprise Program is a different product

Apple's Enterprise Program costs 299 USD per membership year and is only for distributing internal apps to your own employees, at organizations with 100 or more employees. It does not publish to the public App Store. Most businesses need the standard 99 USD program; for private distribution to specific companies, Apple's custom apps program also runs on the standard membership, as covered in our guide to distributing a custom app.

Google Play: 25 USD Once

Google charges a single registration fee. Its help page says "There is a US$25 one-time registration fee." There is no annual renewal.

There is a time cost instead: new personal developer accounts must run a closed test with "a minimum of 12 testers who have been opted in continuously for at least 14 days" before they can publish to production, per Google's testing requirements. Plan for at least two weeks and a dozen willing testers.

Apple vs Google publishing costs side by side

Commissions: What Apple and Google Take From Sales

Publishing fees are fixed; commissions grow with your revenue. They apply only to digital goods and services sold inside the app, such as subscriptions, premium features or in-game items.

Apple's standard rates

• Standard commission: 30%. Apple's own developer news confirmed the standard rate when it cut the China rate in 2026, noting "Currently, the rate is 30%," per its announcement.
• Subscriptions after the first year: 15%. Apple's subscriptions page says that after a subscriber's first year "your net revenue increases to 85% of the subscription price."
• China: 25% from March 15, 2026, per the same announcement.

The Small Business Program: 15%, but you must enroll

Apple's Small Business Program gives "a reduced commission rate of 15% on paid apps and Apple In-App Purchases" to developers who earned up to 1 million USD in proceeds in the previous calendar year, and to developers new to the App Store. It is not automatic: you "simply complete a few steps to enroll," which means being the Account Holder, accepting the Paid Applications Agreement and listing any associated developer accounts. If you pass 1 million USD during the year, the standard rate applies to future sales. Some guides say the program applies automatically; Apple's page says you must enroll.

What Apple does not take a cut of

Apple's App Review Guideline 3.1.3(e) says that for physical goods and services consumed outside the app, "you must use purchase methods other than in-app purchase." In practice, a restaurant's food orders, a salon's appointments or a shop's products are paid through a normal payment processor, and Apple takes no store commission on them. This is why many small business apps pay Apple only the 99 USD membership.

US storefront: links to outside purchases

On the US storefront, Apple's Guideline 3.1.1(a) says its link entitlements "are not required for developers to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action in their United States storefront apps," so US apps can point users to purchases on the web. The guidelines do not state a commission on those linked purchases, so check Apple's current terms before planning around them.

EU: new unified terms from October 1, 2026

Apple moved developers in the EU to one set of terms on October 1, 2026, per its EU page and August 2026 announcement:

Apple also said it would "eliminate the Initial Acquisition Fee and Store Services Fee." If you sell digital goods to EU users, read Apple's EU terms carefully, because they change how your revenue is split.

Google Play's new rates

Google rolled out new service fees in the US, EEA and UK on June 30, 2026, and in Australia and Japan on September 30, 2026, per its service fee page:

The billing fee applies only when the user pays through Google Play Billing. In markets where the new rates have not rolled out, Google still charges 15% on the first 1 million USD of annual earnings and 30% above it, with auto-renewing subscriptions at 15%. Physical goods and services are not sold through Google Play billing, per Google's payments policy.

Worked commission examples

These are simple percentages before taxes, which Apple handles in many regions.

Taxes

Apple collects and remits tax on App Store sales in many countries and regions listed in Exhibit B of its Paid Applications Agreement exhibits; in others, you are responsible. Your own income taxes on proceeds are separate and depend on where your business is based.

Price points

If you charge for the app, Apple's pricing help offers up to 800 price points by default, with 100 higher price points on request up to 10,000 USD. Apple's 2022 announcement said prices can be "as low as $0.29."

The Biggest Cost: How You Build and Upload the App

The store fees are small next to the cost of getting a build into the store. These are the main routes.

Prices are entry paid plans from each vendor's pricing page on October 24, 2026: Superapp, FlutterFlow, Adalo, Bubble, Glide. The Mac mini price is from iGeeksBlog's report on the M6 model launched in August 2026.

Why a Mac matters, and what it costs to avoid one

Apple only accepts uploads built with Xcode 26 or later and the iOS 26 SDK since April 28, 2026, per its SDK requirements, and Xcode runs only on macOS. If you code the app yourself, you either own a Mac or pay someone else's:

Sources: Apple's Xcode Cloud page, Codemagic pricing, GitHub runner pricing, AWS EC2 Mac FAQ. For the full no-Mac route, see our guide to publishing an app without a Mac.

Listing and Launch Costs

Apple and Google require a few things beyond the fee. Most can be done for free if you have time.

The privacy policy requirement is from Apple's app privacy help.

Hidden Costs Most Guides Miss

• Renewal is not optional. If the 99 USD lapses, your app stops being available for download.
• Rejections cost time, not fees. Apple does not charge to resubmit, but each cycle costs days. Apple's App Review page says it reviews at least 50% of submissions in under 24 hours and 90% in under 48 hours.
• Apps that wrap a website get rejected. Apple's Guideline 4.2 asks for features that "elevate it beyond a repackaged website." A cheap wrapper can cost more in rebuilds than a native app would have.
• Annual iOS updates. Each new iOS and Xcode version can require an update, and old toolchains stop being accepted, as the April 2026 SDK rule showed.
• Google's testing period. New personal accounts need 12 testers for 14 days before production, which costs time and favors.
• Forgetting to enroll in the Small Business Program. Staying at 30% instead of 15% doubles Apple's cut on digital sales.
• Tool subscriptions after launch. If your builder charges monthly, budget for it as long as you keep updating the app.

Worked Budgets for the First Year

Budget 1: A small business iPhone app without coding

Budget 2: A developer with a Mac

Budget 3: Both stores with a no-code platform

Budget 4: Android only

What You Pay in Year Two and Beyond

The Cheapest Way for a Small Business to Get a Real App in the App Store

For most small businesses, the cheapest real route looks like this:

1. Sell physical goods or services through your own payment processor, so the store takes no commission.
2. Build a native app without a Mac, with an AI builder such as Superapp, or code it yourself if you already have a Mac and the skills.
3. Do the listing yourself: icon, screenshots, description and a free privacy policy on your website.
4. Pay Apple's 99 USD and publish under your own account, as Apple's Guideline 4.2.6 expects businesses to submit their own apps.
5. Enroll in the Small Business Program if you ever sell digital goods.
6. Skip paid ads at launch and promote the app to existing customers.

Which route fits you?

Checklist Before You Pay Anything

Common Mistakes

• Budgeting only for the 99 USD. The build route costs far more.
• Paying for the Enterprise Program to publish publicly. It cannot publish to the App Store.
• Assuming the 15% rate is automatic. You must enroll in the Small Business Program.
• Using in-app purchase for physical goods. Apple's rules require other payment methods for those.
• Wrapping a website. It risks rejection under Guideline 4.2.
• Letting the membership lapse. Your app disappears from the store for new downloads.
• Quoting old Google fees. The 15% on the first 1 million USD no longer describes the US since June 30, 2026.

Myths and Facts

How to Publish an App for the Lowest Cost, Step by Step

1. Decide what the app sells. If you sell physical goods or services, plan to take payment through your own processor so no store commission applies. If you sell digital content or features, plan for Apple's in-app purchase and the Small Business Program.
2. Choose the build route. Pick Xcode if you code and own a Mac, an AI builder with native output such as Superapp if you do not, or a cross-platform tool if you need Android at launch. This one decision sets most of your budget.
3. Choose an individual or organization account. A business that wants its company name on the store listing needs an organization account and a free D-U-N-S number, so request that number first; allow up to 5 business days from Dun and Bradstreet plus up to 2 for Apple.
4. Check for a fee waiver. Nonprofits, accredited schools and government bodies should apply before paying; everyone else pays 99 USD.
5. Enroll in the Apple Developer Program. Pay 99 USD and wait for Apple to confirm the membership.
6. Prepare the listing for free. Write the name, subtitle and description, capture screenshots, create the icon, publish a privacy policy on your website and fill in the App Privacy questionnaire.
7. Build, upload and test. Upload the build with Xcode 26 or later, through your builder or a cloud build service, and test it on TestFlight before submitting.
8. Submit for review. Include a demo account if the app needs a login, and expect most reviews within 24 to 48 hours.
9. Enroll in the Small Business Program if you sell digital goods. Do this before the sales start, so you pay 15% instead of 30%.
10. Renew every year. Put the renewal date in your calendar so the app never disappears from the store.

Cost by App Type

Five-Year Cost of Staying Published

These are store fees only. Builder subscriptions, commissions and update work come on top.

Where the Money Goes, by Stage

How Our Numbers Compare With Other Guides

Many cost guides repeat the same headline numbers, but a few details often go out of date or get simplified:

Glossary

Where Superapp Fits

As a disclosure, Superapp is our product, so weigh this accordingly. For someone who does not code and does not own a Mac, Superapp is one of the cheapest routes to a real native App Store app: it generates the Swift code, compiles on cloud Macs, prepares the build, screenshots, metadata and privacy details, and handles submission, for $25 a month on Pro plus Apple's 99 USD. You need your own Apple Developer account, and you keep paying the subscription for as long as you keep building with it. It does not build Android apps, so if most of your customers use Android, a cross-platform tool or Google Play first is the cheaper choice. If you already code and own a Mac, Xcode with the 99 USD membership is cheaper still.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to publish an app on the App Store?
99 USD per year for the Apple Developer Program. That covers unlimited apps, free or paid. Building the app is a separate cost that varies by route.

Is the Apple Developer fee one-time or yearly?
Yearly. If you do not renew, Apple says your apps will no longer be available for download, though existing users can keep using them.

How much does it cost to publish on Google Play?
A one-time 25 USD registration fee. New personal accounts must also run a closed test with 12 testers for 14 days before going live.

Do I pay per app?
No. One Apple Developer Program membership covers as many apps as you publish.

Does Apple take 30% of my revenue?
Only on digital goods and services sold in the app. The standard rate is 30%, or 15% for subscriptions after the first year and for Small Business Program members.

Is the Small Business Program automatic?
No. You must enroll as the Account Holder, accept the Paid Applications Agreement and list any associated accounts. Developers under 1 million USD in proceeds qualify.

Do I pay Apple a commission on physical products or services?
No. Apple's Guideline 3.1.3(e) requires other payment methods for physical goods and services used outside the app, so there is no store commission on them.

Can I get the Apple Developer fee waived?
Nonprofits, accredited educational institutions and government entities can apply. Individuals and single-person businesses cannot.

What does the Enterprise Program cost?
299 USD per year, for internal employee apps at organizations with 100 or more employees. It does not publish to the public App Store.

Is a D-U-N-S number free?
Yes. Apple says you can request a free D-U-N-S number from Dun and Bradstreet, allowing up to 5 business days plus up to 2 for Apple to receive it.

What is the cheapest way to get an app on the App Store?
If you code and own a Mac, Xcode plus 99 USD. If you do not code, an AI builder with native output such as Superapp, about $399 in the first year.

Do I need a Mac to publish an iOS app?
Not if you use a cloud builder or build service. Apps must be built with Xcode 26 or later, but services such as Superapp, Codemagic and Xcode Cloud run it for you.

What are Google Play's fees in 2026?
In the US, EEA and UK since June 30, 2026, and in Australia and Japan since September 30, 2026: 10% plus a 5% billing fee on auto-renewing subscriptions, and 20% or 25% plus 5% on other transactions depending on install date.

What are Apple's EU fees in 2026?
Under terms effective October 1, 2026: 26% for App Store in-app purchases, 15% at reduced tiers, 20% for alternative payment processing and 15% on link-out offers.

Does Apple charge to resubmit after a rejection?
No. Resubmitting is free; the cost is time. Apple reviews at least 50% of submissions in under 24 hours and 90% in under 48 hours.

Do I need a privacy policy?
Yes. Apple says a privacy policy URL is required for all apps.

How much does it cost to publish on both stores?
124 USD in the first year (99 plus 25), then 99 USD a year, plus whatever your build route costs.

What does it cost to keep an app on the App Store?
99 USD a year for the membership, plus any builder subscription and the time to update the app for new iOS versions.

Does Apple collect sales tax for me?
In many countries and regions listed in its Paid Applications Agreement, yes. Elsewhere you are responsible, and your own income tax is always separate.

What is the lowest price I can charge for an app?
Apple's 2022 pricing update allowed prices as low as $0.29. Apple's current help page lists up to 800 price points by default, plus 100 higher ones on request up to 10,000 USD.

Can a no-code app be published to the App Store?
Yes, if the platform builds a real app and the app does more than wrap a website. Glide, for example, builds web apps and does not publish to the App Store.

Is it cheaper to launch on Android first?
The store fee is cheaper: 25 USD once versus 99 USD a year. Whether it is cheaper overall depends on which phones your customers use and your build route.

Should a small business pay for Apple Ads at launch?
Not necessarily. Promoting the app to existing customers is free; paid ads are optional and can come later.

Does a restaurant or salon app pay Apple a commission?
No store commission applies to food orders, bookings or other services used outside the app, because Apple requires other payment methods for those. The business pays its payment processor's fee and the 99 USD membership.

What happens to my app if I stop paying the 99 USD?
Apple says your apps will no longer be available for download and you cannot submit updates. Users who already installed it can keep using it.

Is TestFlight free?
Yes. TestFlight beta testing is included with the Apple Developer Program membership.

Does the Small Business Program cover subscriptions?
Yes. Members pay 15% on paid apps and in-app purchases, including subscriptions from the first year.

How much does it cost to publish an app over five years?
Store fees alone come to 495 USD for Apple or 520 USD for Apple and Google. Build tools, commissions and updates are extra.

Can I publish several apps under one account?
Yes. One Apple Developer Program membership and one Google Play developer account each cover as many apps as you publish.

Do I need an organization account for a business app?
Not strictly, but an organization account shows your company name as the seller. It needs a free D-U-N-S number, which can take up to 5 business days from Dun and Bradstreet plus up to 2 for Apple.

Can I use the Enterprise Program to avoid App Store commission?
No. The Enterprise Program is for internal employee apps only and does not publish to the public App Store.

References

• Apple: What's included in the Apple Developer Program
• Apple: Membership renewal
• Apple: Fee waivers
• Apple: D-U-N-S Number
• Apple: Enterprise Program
• Apple: Small Business Program
• Apple: Subscriptions
• Apple Developer News: China commission update
• Apple: App Review Guidelines
• Apple: DMA and apps in the EU
• Apple Developer News: EU terms update
• Apple: Paid Applications Agreement exhibits
• Apple: Set a price
• Apple Newsroom: App Store pricing upgrade (2022)
• Apple: SDK minimum requirements
• Apple: App privacy
• Apple: App Review
• Apple: Xcode Cloud
• Google Play: Registration fee
• Google Play: Testing requirements for new personal accounts
• Google Play: Service fees
• Google Play: Payments policy
• Codemagic: Pricing
• GitHub: Actions runner pricing
• AWS: EC2 Mac FAQ
• iGeeksBlog: Mac mini M6 price
• FlutterFlow: Pricing
• Adalo: Pricing
• Bubble: Pricing
• Glide: Pricing
• Superapp: Pricing
• Superapp: Features
• Superapp: Apple Developer account cost
• Superapp: Publish an app without a Mac
• Superapp: Distribute a custom app