Apple Cuts App Store Fee In Half For 'Mini Apps' (cnbc.com)
(Thursday November 13, 2025 @10:30PM (BeauHD)
from the half-the-fee-but-twice-the-lock-in dept.)
- Reference: 0180067676
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/11/13/2231251/apple-cuts-app-store-fee-in-half-for-mini-apps
- Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/apple-announces-new-program-that-cut-mini-app-fees-in-half.html
Apple is [1]cutting its App Store fee from 30% to 15% for developers who join a new [2]Mini Apps Partner Program , which requires using more of Apple's built-in technology to power lightweight "mini apps." "This includes using Apple software to register a user's purchase history, verify user ages and to process in-app purchases," reports CNBC. From the report:
> A "mini app" is a lightweight piece of software inside a third-party app store, like that of Discord's. These apps uses are built using web technology like HTML or Javascript. [...] Apple has argued that both developers and users are better off when using its technology and rules, instead of eschewing them to try to avoid fees. "This program is designed to help developers who host mini apps grow their business and further the availability of mini apps on the App Store -- all while providing a great customer experience," the company said in its announcement. [...] Participants in the new program will still have to provide Apple with information for each specific mini-app experience they offer.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/apple-announces-new-program-that-cut-mini-app-fees-in-half.html
[2] https://developer.apple.com/programs/mini-apps-partner/
> A "mini app" is a lightweight piece of software inside a third-party app store, like that of Discord's. These apps uses are built using web technology like HTML or Javascript. [...] Apple has argued that both developers and users are better off when using its technology and rules, instead of eschewing them to try to avoid fees. "This program is designed to help developers who host mini apps grow their business and further the availability of mini apps on the App Store -- all while providing a great customer experience," the company said in its announcement. [...] Participants in the new program will still have to provide Apple with information for each specific mini-app experience they offer.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/apple-announces-new-program-that-cut-mini-app-fees-in-half.html
[2] https://developer.apple.com/programs/mini-apps-partner/
It's a trap (Score:2)
These are basically websites that are wrapped by an app. These developers can currently get most of what Apple provides without using Apple tech, and keep 97% of the profits. Why would they want to keep only 85% for such minimal benefits? For that matter, why are they providing an app when a website will do?
Re: It's a trap (Score:2)
Because lots of mouthbreathers only know how to do stuff on "apps" on their phones. The idea they can use Safari in the phone to access websites of the same services is too much.
Re: (Score:2)
Once maybe 1-2 y.ago someone here commented why their company sold on Amazon, despite all the hassle with fraud, and Amazon abusive practices (prohibiting you to refer to your real website anywhere, and prohibition to sell less expensive elsewhere -- according to rumours on slashdot). The answer is: sheer volume.
I guess it's the same here. Having an "app" increases your customer base to those who don't shop with a browser. Possibly it's a much larger number of people.