In a big win for iOS app developers, Stripe has released their extensive documentation. This guidance gives developers the ability to start avoiding the high commission rate that Apple imposes on transactions through the App Store. Taken together, this initiative comes on the heels of a recent federal district court ruling. It would force Apple to let developers put links to external payment options inside of apps—allowing them to sell customers on cheaper, or more secure, payment processing alternatives.
Stripe’s extensive documentation walks developers through the process of setting up a payment link in their apps. This integration lets them seamlessly make payments for digital goods super easy – including via Stripe Checkout. That’s why this solution becomes financially compelling for Stripe because it undercuts Apple’s longstanding 30% commission. Stripe doesn’t add any additional fee over the 2.9% + $0.30 fixed percentage fee transaction either.
Michael Luo, a product manager at Stripe who announced the guide on X (formerly Twitter). Developers jumped at the chance, and the post went viral with more than 3,000 likes in no time. The comprehensive guide walks developers through setting up and customizing their own payments page and checkout experience. This enables them to drive more accountability and efficiency into their payment operations.
David Heinemeier Hansson, the creator of Ruby on Rails and co-owner of 37Signals, commended Stripe’s efforts, stating, “Apple’s loss in court is immediately opening up a whole new world for app developers.” He further emphasized how the previous commission structure hindered innovation, noting that “entire business models were impossible under the old 30% regime.”
Finally, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled recently with a decision that blasted Apple’s previous policy to smithereens. She contended that the policy did not follow the spirit or the letter of the law. This legal determination opens the door to firms like Stripe. They are now equipped to deliver solutions that improve developer autonomy and maximize profitability.
New developers will begin adopting Stripe’s payment processing infrastructure. They will benefit from significantly lower monthly fees and increased flexibility in processing transactions. The shift away from Apple’s stringent guidelines could lead to a more diverse range of apps and services available in the marketplace.