That’s a few percent on top. Percent of the 5-12%, that is, not of the 100%. And taxes are just pass-through for companies. So still much lower than what Apple is taking.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Requiring Patreon to Use In-App Purchase and Pay 30% Fee for Memberships
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Totally Mafia. Patreon should just leave the App Store, the app is not necessary at all.
But how do you explain that to your supporters without looking sleazy? "yeah, I charge Apple folk more, they don't mind right?"
They'd sound like a big, soulless corporation. They'd sound like Tim!
It would not be fair to not add Apples commission on top. Otherwise, regular Patreon subscribers would effectively be cross-subsidizing Apple's extra fees.
As creators, they should be able to communicate this change transparently.
Last edited:
they are firmly in the make whatever money they can before they get hamstrung by regulators phase of late stage capitalism.
They already do that. Why do you think subscriptions like Youtube Premium cost more when you do it through your Apple Device/App Store vs. online.
Sure, but we are talking about the changes coming to Patreon on iOS. Creators will have the choice if they want to charge higher subscription prices on Apple devices or to cover the 30% commission themselves.
Processing fees would certainly come out of the 100%, not the 8-12% that Patreon charges. Typically 5% + small fee depending on the market for $3 or less. And 3% plus a slightly higher fee for more than $3. So it can actually be more that Apple charges most developers for digital content. But it's certainly not "much lower" unless you're on their legacy plan.
30% of *every* transaction when there's zero cost to them for the bulk of it? ... I've been a huge Apple supporter, but this is starting to wear thin.
Apple really needs to reevaluate this. 30% is too much. If there was a cost to them, I'd understand it, but there's not. It's now well over the "greed" line.
Apple really needs to reevaluate this. 30% is too much. If there was a cost to them, I'd understand it, but there's not. It's now well over the "greed" line.
Well, technically it is different. The EU forced "open" App Stores, which potentially puts consumers at great risk beyond just an empty bank account. Apple has built their business around privacy and security by having a tightly-knit ecosystem.
Totally different than "fees".
Even if all their pieces added up to 30%, which they don't, Patreon still wouldn't be able to eat Apple's 30% fee without losing money.
Can't they just can the app and people just make the transaction outside an app?
Does everything need to be an app?
Does everything need to be an app?
This feels like it's going to get reversed. It feels like someone on a lower level at Apple got too trigger happy and the higher ups didn't get to see/review this. This might be in line with their (jerky, out of touch, out of context) standard "one rule for everyone" (except for big fish who can negotiate better deals behind closed doors) but the backlash is too obvious and too strong... I'm betting Apple issues a retraction within a week.
My favorite part of the article:
I think Patreon (or creators) should be allowed to state “this price includes a 30% App Store service charge.” This is similar to retail stores explicitly charging a different price based on payment method. If you want the convenience of a credit card, then there is an associated fee for that convenience.
I think Patreon (or creators) should be allowed to state “this price includes a 30% App Store service charge.” This is similar to retail stores explicitly charging a different price based on payment method. If you want the convenience of a credit card, then there is an associated fee for that convenience.
Imagine, VISA or MasterCard would charge 30% for every transaction from you or the retailer where you use the card. Even Apple Pay is cheaper because of that.
For creators making less than $1 million per year:
Apple charging 15% for digital content = bad.
Patreon charging up to 27% for digital content = ???.
Apple charging 15% for digital content = bad.
Patreon charging up to 27% for digital content = ???.
can’t I avoid all of this by doing all the payments on their website?
It’s crazy that when you sell a house you will pay a commission of around 5%, and that is generally split between the selling and the buying agent. Apple grabbing 30%? That’s what being part of a duopoly gets you.
I feel the same. Almost like whoever decided this didn’t realize that the 30% is coming out of the creator’s income and not Patreon’s income.
I’m surprised Patreon didn’t just disable the ability to subscribe/purchase anything in-app in response to this. It would have turned the app into a “reader app” like Netflix and I’m sure creators and their fans could easily adapt to subscribing on the Patreon website only.
Sure Apple, screw over independent artists for your bottom line… class act. It’s getting hard to defend Apple’s digital store (they should get some compensation for the platform they built) but hijacking money from individual artists? Not cool.