{"id":82467,"date":"2026-08-19T21:56:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T13:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ahhhhfs.com\/82467\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T19:20:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T11:20:24","slug":"apple-eu-app-store-fees-2026-ctc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ahhhhfs.com\/en\/82467\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple \u6b27\u76df App Store \u65b0\u89c4\uff1aCTF \u53d6\u6d88\uff0c5% CTC \u4e0e\u4f63\u91d1\u600e\u4e48\u7b97\uff1f"},"content":{"rendered":"
Apple EU App Store fees<\/strong> are changing under Apple’s new unified business terms for apps in the European Union. Starting from October 2026, Apple is replacing the installation-based Core Technology Fee (CTF) with a 5% Core Technology Commission (CTC)<\/strong> for qualifying digital transactions associated with iOS and iPadOS apps distributed outside the App Store. Inside the App Store, however, Apple still applies different commission rates to In-App Purchase, third-party payments, and external purchase links.<\/p>\n

The key point: the 5% CTC does not apply to every app that uses Stripe or another third-party payment provider.<\/strong><\/div>\n

Apple announced a new set of business terms for apps in the European Union on August 18, 2026, consolidating several previous fee structures into a more unified model.<\/p>\n

The replacement of the Core Technology Fee<\/strong> with the Core Technology Commission<\/strong> is the most visible change, but developers building subscription apps, SaaS products, games, and other apps with digital purchases still need to answer a more practical question:<\/p>\n

How much will Apple actually charge my app?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The answer depends on two things: where the app is distributed and where the user pays<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

An app distributed through the App Store using Apple In-App Purchase, an App Store app using Stripe or another alternative payment method, an app linking users to a website for payment, and an iOS app distributed completely outside the App Store are all subject to different fee structures.<\/p>\n


\n\"Apple
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What Changed With Apple EU App Store Fees in 2026?<\/h2>\n

The major changes under Apple’s new EU business terms take effect from October 1, 2026<\/strong>, subject to the applicable agreement and developer adoption requirements.<\/p>\n

The biggest structural change is how Apple charges apps distributed outside the App Store.<\/p>\n

Under the previous alternative EU business terms, Apple used the Core Technology Fee (CTF)<\/strong>, which could charge qualifying large-scale iOS and iPadOS apps based on first annual installs.<\/p>\n

Under the new terms, CTF is replaced by the Core Technology Commission (CTC)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n


\n\"Apple
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

CTC is tied to qualifying digital transactions rather than app installs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For iOS and iPadOS apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or Web Distribution, qualifying paid apps, digital goods, and digital services can be subject to a 5% Core Technology Commission<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Apple is also removing the previous Initial Acquisition Fee and the former Store Services Fee structure, while introducing a revised commission model for App Store distribution, alternative payments, external purchase links, and alternative distribution.<\/p>\n

Another important change is that EU apps can offer Apple In-App Purchase alongside alternative payment methods<\/strong>. Developers can combine Apple IAP with in-app alternative payments or external purchase links, although the selected payment configuration generally needs to remain in place for 12 months.<\/p>\n

View Apple’s official announcement about the new EU business terms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apple EU App Store Fees: IAP vs Third-Party Payments vs 5% CTC<\/h2>\n

Before comparing the percentages, it is important to separate App Store distribution<\/strong> from distribution outside the App Store<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The new payment terms for apps distributed through the EU App Store apply across Apple platforms including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS, depending on the relevant payment option and program.<\/p>\n

Alternative app marketplace distribution and Web Distribution, meanwhile, primarily concern iOS and iPadOS apps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n


\n\"Apple
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Seeing headlines about Apple replacing CTF with a 5% CTC can create a misleading impression:<\/p>\n

If an EU app uses Stripe instead of Apple In-App Purchase, Apple only takes 5%.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That is not how the new fee structure works.<\/p>\n

If the app is still distributed through the App Store and simply uses a third-party payment processor, it remains under the App Store payment commission model. The 5% CTC applies to qualifying transactions associated with apps distributed outside the App Store through routes such as alternative app marketplaces or Web Distribution.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Distribution \/ Payment Method<\/th>\nApple Fee<\/th>\nWhen It Applies<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
App Store + Apple In-App Purchase<\/strong><\/td>\n26% \/ 15%<\/strong><\/td>\nThe standard Apple commission is 26%. A 15% rate applies to qualifying transactions involving programs such as the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program and Video Partner Program, as well as eligible auto-renewable subscriptions after the first year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
App Store + In-App Third-Party Payment<\/strong><\/td>\n20% \/ 10%<\/strong><\/td>\nThe standard commission is 20%, with a 10% rate for qualifying transactions. Fees charged by Stripe or another payment service provider are separate from Apple’s commission.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
App Store + Actionable External Purchase Link<\/strong><\/td>\n15% \/ 10%<\/strong><\/td>\nApplies to qualifying digital transactions completed after a user follows an actionable link from the app. The standard rate is 15%, with a 10% rate for qualifying developers or transactions. The relevant attribution window is generally seven days after the link is clicked.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alternative App Marketplace \/ Web Distribution<\/strong><\/td>\n5% CTC<\/strong><\/td>\nApplies to qualifying transactions associated with iOS and iPadOS apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or Web Distribution, including paid apps, digital goods, digital services, one-time purchases and auto-renewable subscriptions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

These rates are based on Apple’s current EU app business terms. Apple IAP, in-app third-party payments, actionable external purchase links and distribution outside the App Store follow different commission structures. Eligibility can also depend on the developer program, subscription status, distribution method and transaction type. See Apple’s official EU app terms<\/a> for the latest requirements.<\/p>\n

The scope of the 5% CTC<\/strong> is broader than purchases made directly inside an app.<\/p>\n

Apple can also apply CTC to certain fees charged for downloading or accessing an alternative app marketplace or app catalog. For apps distributed outside the App Store that send users to the web through an actionable purchase link, qualifying digital transactions completed within the applicable seven-day attribution period can also fall within the CTC model.<\/p>\n

What Is Apple’s Core Technology Commission (CTC)?<\/h2>\n

Apple’s Core Technology Commission, or CTC, is a 5% commission on qualifying digital transactions associated with iOS and iPadOS apps distributed outside the App Store in the European Union.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is different from the previous Core Technology Fee because CTC is tied to qualifying transaction value rather than the number of first annual installs.<\/p>\n

Depending on the distribution and transaction model, CTC can cover:<\/p>\n