## Stripe Offers iOS Developers a Lifeline From Apple’s App Store Fees
In the wake of a significant court ruling against Apple, payments processing giant Stripe is stepping up to help iOS developers sidestep Apple’s controversial App Store commission. Following yesterday’s reverberating decision in the Apple-Epic antitrust case, where Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers criticized Apple for restricting external payment options, Stripe has released comprehensive documentation outlining how developers can integrate Stripe payments outside of the App Store ecosystem.
The move comes as a direct response to the legal battle, which has long centered on Apple’s insistence on taking a 30% cut of in-app purchases. While Apple has allowed developers to link to external websites for purchases, the meager 3% commission reduction and the addition of “scare screens” warning users about external payments were deemed insufficient by Judge Rogers, who demanded immediate policy changes.
Stripe’s new documentation provides a clear path for developers to implement a secure, Stripe-hosted checkout experience. This involves integrating a link within their app that redirects users to a dedicated payment page managed by Stripe. This alternative, while requiring developers to manage their own payment interface, unlocks significant cost savings. Stripe’s standard payment processing fees are significantly lower than Apple’s commission, clocking in at 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
“Stripe 🤝iOS developers,” tweeted Stripe product manager Michael Luo, announcing the “quick guide” that walks developers through the process. The news has been met with enthusiasm from the iOS developer community, with many expressing their relief at the prospect of escaping Apple’s steep fees.
David Heinemeier Hansson, creator of Ruby on Rails and co-owner of 37Signals, a vocal critic of Apple’s App Store policies, lauded Stripe’s solution. He highlighted how this change could unlock new business models previously deemed unsustainable due to the 30% commission. “Apple’s loss in court is immediately opening up a whole new world for app developers,” Hansson stated on X.
While bypassing Apple’s in-app purchases requires more setup and maintenance on the developer’s end, the potential for increased revenue and control over the customer experience is proving to be a compelling proposition for many. Stripe’s move marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over App Store fees and could pave the way for a more equitable ecosystem for iOS developers.
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