App Store Small Business Program: 15% commission only if you enroll

Why it matters

Without enrolling, you pay Apple's standard commission from your first sale. Proceeds are what Apple pays you: your sales minus Apple's commission and certain taxes and adjustments. For a small app the lower rate is one of the few costs you can cut with a single form.

The lower rate also starts later than people expect. Apple adjusts your proceeds 15 days after the end of the fiscal month in which it approves your enrollment, so earlier sales are paid at the standard rate. Enrolling before your first paid release closes that gap.

To enroll you must be the Account Holder of the developer account, accept the latest Paid Apps agreement, and list any associated developer accounts. Those are accounts under your ownership or control, or accounts that own or control yours, and Apple counts their proceeds together with yours against the limit.

Who it applies to

It's open to any developer whose apps, together with their associated accounts, earned no more than 1 million US dollars in proceeds in the previous calendar year and so far in the current year, and to anyone new to the App Store.

If you pass 1 million US dollars during a year, the standard rate applies to your later sales. If your proceeds fall back under the limit in a later year, you can qualify for 15% again the year after. Apple also gives a 10% rate for subscriptions after their first year, and for developers on its alternative terms in the EU.