Article Title:
App Developers Intensify EU Battle Over Apple’s App Store Fees
Article Text:
A coalition of 20 app developers and consumer advocacy groups has formally petitioned the European Commission, asserting that Apple’s revised App Store fee structure continues to place European applications at a competitive disadvantage compared to their U.S. counterparts. This collective, known as the Coalition for App Fairness (CAF), includes prominent companies such as Astropad, Epic Games, Masimo, Life360, Proton, and Spotify. Many of these organizations have previously engaged in disputes with Apple over its App Store policies.
In a statement released on December 16, 2025, the CAF declared, This situation is untenable and damaging to the app economy. The coalition contends that Apple continues to flout compliance with EU law and expresses concern over the lack of transparency regarding the new terms set to take effect in 2026. They argue that this uncertainty hampers innovation and growth within Europe’s app development sector.
The crux of the developers’ grievances lies in Apple’s fee restructuring. In July 2025, Apple replaced its Core Technology Fee (CTF) with a trio of new charges: the Acquisition Fee, the Store Services Fee, and a revised Core Technology Fee or Commission.
– Acquisition Fee: A 2% charge on sales of digital goods and services, applicable for up to six months following a user’s initial download of an app.
– Store Services Fee: A variable fee ranging between 5% and 13%, intended to cover the costs associated with maintaining the App Store platform. Discounts are available for small businesses and long-standing accounts.
– Core Technology Fee/Commission: Developers can choose between a per-transaction fee of 0.50 Euro or a 5% commission, depending on their contractual terms with Apple.
Despite these adjustments, the CAF maintains that the overall financial burden on developers remains substantial, potentially stifling competition and innovation within the European app market.
The European Commission has previously scrutinized Apple’s fee structures. In June 2025, the Commission initiated investigations into the Core Technology Fee, expressing concerns that it might violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA aims to ensure fair competition and prevent gatekeepers like Apple from imposing unfair conditions on businesses and consumers.
Apple has defended its fee model, asserting that the majority of developers would pay the same or less under the new terms. The company emphasizes that the fees are designed to support the App Store’s infrastructure, including services like app review, security, and distribution.
However, the CAF and other critics argue that these fees disproportionately affect smaller developers and those based in the EU, potentially leading to higher costs for consumers and reduced diversity in the app ecosystem.
The European Commission is currently reviewing the petition and has not yet announced any formal actions. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the future of app distribution and monetization within the European Union.
