Let's take Bear notes for example
Bear notes uses CloudKit (Apple's backend service) to store user data. CloudKit provides up to 1 petabyte (1000 terabytes) of cloud storage for free. So, Bear developers can focus on making the app better without worrying about cloud infrastructure and it ends up being cheaper for users to pay for the product as they're not paying for Bear's server costs.
Then there's Apple Maps. All iOS developers can take advantage of using Apple Maps into their apps without paying a single cent. Google Maps costs money after the free tier usage is up. I know someone who pays thousands of dollars per month for Google Maps.
Combining CloudKit and Apple Maps, it's possible for a single developer to put out a free cloud-enabled app that generates millions of downloads and won't cost a single cent to the developer (other than the flat $99/yr developer fee that pays for app reviews) or the customer. Putting out a free Android app that uses Google Maps could mean that the developer will end up paying thousands of dollars in Google Maps or Google Firebase costs if the app ends up being popular.
And that's just 2 of many things that Apple provides to developers.
Thank you. I don't think people (non-developers) realize all the resources you get from Apple.
This and your
earlier comment outlines some of the stuff you're getting for the 30% that Apple takes from each purchase. I would imagine it's a lot easier (and of course cheaper) to have Apple simply take a percentage off the top rather than you going out and seeking services from various providers. It takes the headache away from having to deal with with 3rd-party servers, storage, databases, payment processing, identification services, etc.
After reading your comments... I'm even more convinced that Apple's 30% is justified. (though I'm sure others will continue to disagree)
Samsung and Amazon also have app stores and they also take 30% from each sale.
But Samsung and Amazon offer almost none of those resources to the developer. They're just a store. You basically build an Android app (using
Google's tools and resources) and then it gets sold by Samsung or Amazon. So why do they get 30%?
It seems ridiculous that Samsung and Amazon want 30% even though they do almost none of the work.
To sum up... Apple is the platform owner and provides tons of tools and resources... and they want 30%
Then you have these other guys who provide almost nothing for the developer... yet they want the same 30%
Which one of those makes more sense?