Apple to Soon Take Up to 30% Cut From All Patreon Creators in iOS App

[MacRumors]

Apple has set a new deadline of November 1, 2026 for all Patreon creators to switch from Patreon's legacy billing system to the App Store's in-app purchase system in the Patreon app on the iPhone and iPad, as reported by TechCrunch.

Note: This image has been edited to include a pile of cash.​

Patreon is a platform where creators such as YouTubers can receive payments from fans, which can be a valuable revenue stream alongside ads and sponsorships.

Apple initially told Patreon that its creators must move to the App Store's in-app purchase system by November 2025, or else Patreon would risk removal from the App Store, but the deadline was pushed back. Apple considers payments from supporters to creators on Patreon to be digital goods that it is entitled to receive a commission on.

Apple receives a 30% commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions, but this drops to 15% for a subscription that has been ongoing for more than a year.

Patreon gives creators the option to either increase their prices in the iOS app only, or absorb the fee themselves, keeping prices the same across platforms.

On the iPhone and iPad, Patreon users who wish to support a creator can sidestep the App Store's commission by completing their payment via Patreon's website.

Patreon said it is disappointed with how Apple has navigated this policy.

According to TechCrunch, only 4% of Patreon creators are still using the platform's legacy billing system, with the rest having already switched over.

Patreon has shared a FAQ with more details for creators.

Article Link: Apple to Soon Take Up to 30% Cut From All Patreon Creators in iOS App

 

[aloysiusfreeman]

I believe the workaround is to subscribe online, and then have the app.

Anyways, ridiculous stuff.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Patreon said it is disappointed with how Apple has navigated this policy.

That’s how the system works. You don’t expect Walmart to not get a commission when you sell something at their store.

30% is reasonable. DEAL WITH IT.

Don’t like it? Make your own phone and platform.

 

[now i see it]

There are two things guaranteed in life: Apple taxes and death to older Apple devices.

 

[delsoul]

I knew Tim Cook was greedy, but this is in a league of its own.

 

[neptuna]

Time for companies to stop building apps for things that don't need apps. I don't think Patreon should even be an app. Build a nice PWA and let users subscribe there. Am I missing something? Can't Patreon just be a web app? What are the benefits of it being a mobile app?

 

[cateye]

I believe the workaround is to subscribe online, and then have the app.

Yup, that's what I do for the handful of Patreon creators I support, and for some other services where there's both an IAP and website/direct option.

In general, as companies have done a better job making their websites first-class citizens on mobile, there's less and less reason to use apps. I've shed quite a few over the last couple years.

 

[Art Mark]

You can always use the web based system to avoid the Apple fee. That seems to make sense. I don't love it, but I don't think it's crazy unreasonable. I do this with Streaming platforms and social media payments to avoid the 30%.

 

[Art Mark]

Time for companies to stop building apps for things that don't need apps. I don't think Patreon should even be an app. Build a nice PWA and let users subscribe there. Am I missing something? Can't Patreon just be a web app? What are the benefits of it being a mobile app?

Great point. They can easily go around using the App Store.

 

[averagenerd81]

I don't pay via iOS, nor do I have the app. I do think this is just sad on Apple's part and again represents another cash grab by an ultra wealthy company. The creators on that platform deserve the money, but clearly Apple here needs it more.

 

[averagenerd81]

That’s how the system works. You don’t expect Walmart to not get a commission when you sell something at their store.

30% is reasonable. DEAL WITH IT.

Don’t like it? Make your own phone and platform.

It still amazes me the lengths people will go to in defending the ultra wealthy.

 

[bluecoast]

Hopefully all Patreon creators will get out the message to subscribe on the web to deny Apple their cut.

 

[bcortens]

Time for companies to stop building apps for things that don't need apps. I don't think Patreon should even be an app. Build a nice PWA and let users subscribe there. Am I missing something? Can't Patreon just be a web app? What are the benefits of it being a mobile app?

There are some niceties to having an App, you get more system level access for example but I don't think Patreon really needs these.
The main thing I've noticed with PWAs is that they sometimes have small UI glitches with the status bar and home indicator. Nothing major but a little annoying.
Personally though, if I were Patreon I would look into sunsetting the mobile app and trying to migrate everyone to a PWA.

 

[vegetassj4]

Is Tim Apple taking HgH, look at how tiny those bills look compared to his head and body.

 

[CalMin]

I sort of agree with @alchemistmuffin, but there needs to be some middle ground or flexibility by Apple. For a company whose values I generally align with, they are like evil monsters when it comes to AppStore revenue.

30% is and was reasonable when the appstore first opened. The value prop for developers was:

• no more boxed software,
• no physical media to manufacture,
• no payment processing issues,
• no fraud management,
• no credit card payments/fees
• no running websites to provide downloads or updates,
• no server security issues to handle,
• no stupid license management,
• no generating license codes, tech support crap from people who couldn't find their license when re-installing etc..

Just write your app, sell it through the store and get paid (less the Apple commission.)

---

But - there are situations like this where, frankly, the right thing to do is NOT to skim off these sorts of payments. It is pure rent-seeking and it is beneath Apple and their espoused values to operate like. I say this as an absolute fan of the company.

 

[Eureka20]

this is ridiculous-- does this means the artists I follow get 30% less?? I believe Im subscribed via the web and just use the app to browse, but this is wild.

 

[Zenman12]

That’s how the system works. You don’t expect Walmart to not get a commission when you sell something at their store.

30% is reasonable. DEAL WITH IT.

Don’t like it? Make your own phone and platform.

Why stop there?

90% is reasonable. DEAL WITH IT.

Don’t like it? Make your own phone and platform.

 

[kkclstuff]

Its hard enough for us to make a living, now  wants a part of that too!!
We buy and use your equipment... that doesnt give you a right to our earnings!


GET YOUR HAND OUTTA MY POCKET


Despicable, money grubbing .....

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

This makes absolutely no sense, also I thought that they were banned from doing such things?

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Its hard enough for us to make a living, now  wants a part of that too!!
We buy and use your equipment... that doesnt give you a right to our earnings!

Despicable, money grubbing .....

They paid to build and maintain the platform. Those costs aren't just absorbed in perpetuity because you bought an iPhone a few years ago.

 

[Apollo33]

You don’t expect Walmart to not get a commission when you sell something at their store.

I guess you're also OK with Walmart's decision not to support Apple Pay or Tap-to-Pay in general?

 

[jbc25]

That image is the most obvious and intentional shade I've ever seen given to an Apple exec on this site. Someone here is clearly not a fan of this decision!

 

[Thisismattwade]

Time for companies to stop building apps for things that don't need apps. I don't think Patreon should even be an app. Build a nice PWA and let users subscribe there. Am I missing something? Can't Patreon just be a web app? What are the benefits of it being a mobile app?

My family doesn't have a ton of subscriptions, but I always make it a point to check for an outside-the-app subscription process if possible. (I'm thinking of Netflix, which we recently subscribed to to watch Stranger Things.) There's one app I use that I simply can't do this with, and I'm sure it's the developer's prerogative to do that, but I'm trying to help anyone I can avoid that 30% if possible!

 

[Zenman12]

You can always use the web based system to avoid the Apple fee. That seems to make sense. I don't love it, but I don't think it's crazy unreasonable. I do this with Streaming platforms and social media payments to avoid the 30%.

30% is crazy. Patreon also gets a cut. Credit cards also get a cut. It all adds up.

 

[Rafagon]

GoFundMe is in the app store. Does Tim Cook want 30% of every donation to go to Apple as well?