Apple Proposes 5%-15% Fee on Purchases Made Outside the App Store: Full Breakdown of New Commission Rates

Apple described the approach as charging roughly half the applicable in-app commission rate for each category . For partner programs (VPP, NPP, MPP), the 10% rate is roughly half of what those partners would pay for in-app transactions, though the exact IAP rates for those programs have not been publicly detailed . The subscription renewal rate is reported as 10% by several sources, while others note Apple sought 15% for recurring transactions .

Legal Context: From 27% to 0% to the Current Proposal

The proposal follows a contentious legal timeline:

• Prior ruling: Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ordered Apple to allow developers to "steer" users to external payment options .
• Apple's initial response: The company charged a 27% commission on those external purchases .
• Contempt finding: The court found Apple's 27% fee violated the injunction, leading Apple to temporarily charge 0% on external link purchases in the U.S. .
• Supreme Court action: On August 14, 2026, Justice Elena Kagan denied Apple's request for a stay, clearing the way for the lower court to determine a permissible commission rate .

Apple's previous 27% fee was seen as almost equivalent to its 30% in-app purchase commission, effectively negating the benefit of external payment options . The new 5%-15% range represents a significant reduction but still means Apple collects a fee on transactions it does not process.

Apple's Reasoning and Epic's Expected Opposition

Apple argues it is entitled to a commission even on off-platform purchases because it provides the iOS ecosystem, developer tools, app discovery, and user trust that make those sales possible . The company described the proposed fees as "reasonable and proportionate" to the value Apple provides . Apple also noted that Google Play Store charges linked-out rates of 20% on standard apps in its own similar structure .

Epic Games is expected to oppose the proposal, arguing that Apple should not be entitled to any commission on transactions that do not use Apple's payment processing infrastructure . The court will now hear responses from both sides before deciding whether to approve the proposed rates.

How the Proposal Compares to Current App Store Fees

The proposal would reduce Apple's share of a typical transaction to half its usual 30% in-app fee. For each $1 billion processed beyond Apple's payment platform, the change would amount to $150 million in Apple's commission revenue .

What Happens Next

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will now consider Apple's proposal, along with Epic's expected opposition and Apple's response . The judge has the authority to approve, modify, or reject the proposed rates. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how platform operators can charge for off-platform transactions and may influence similar cases and regulations globally .