Microsoft Eliminates App Publishing Fees for Microsoft Store
Microsoft announced at its Build 2025 conference that it will waive developer registration fees for the Microsoft Store starting in June 2025. This means individual developers can publish apps to the Windows platform without the previous $19 registration cost.
Increased Competition in the App Marketplace
This move comes as Apple faces legal scrutiny over its App Store fees. While Apple charges a commission on sales and an annual developer fee, Google Play has a one-time $25 registration fee. Microsoft's decision to eliminate its fee could increase competition and attract more developers to the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft Store Commerce Fees Remain
While the registration fee is being removed, Microsoft will still charge developers using its commerce platform. A 12% fee applies to games, and a 15% fee applies to other apps. Developers using their own commerce systems retain 100% of revenue for non-gaming apps.
This change is likely to encourage more independent developers and smaller companies to publish apps on Windows, potentially leading to a wider variety of apps available for users. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the overall app ecosystem and the competitive landscape with other app stores.
