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How much it costs to publish an app on the App Store and Google Play

The store fees are small and set by Apple and Google. What takes the time is everything around them: developer accounts in the business's name, store listings, privacy details and passing review.

At a glance

  1. 1. Apple App StoreApple's developer help pages list the Apple Developer Program at 99 US dollars a year, or the local equivalent.
  2. 2. Google PlayGoogle's Play Console help lists a one-time registration fee of 25 US dollars.
  3. 3. Store commission on salesIf you sell digital content or subscriptions inside the app, both stores take a share of each sale, with lower rates for small developers who apply.
  4. 4. Open accounts in the business's nameEnrol as an organisation, not as a person, so the app stays with the business if a developer or employee leaves.
  5. 5. What else to plan forBuilding the app and keeping it updated for new iOS and Android versions

1. Apple App Store

Apple's developer help pages list the Apple Developer Program at 99 US dollars a year, or the local equivalent. Your apps stay on the App Store only while the membership is active. Apple waives the fee for registered nonprofits, accredited schools and government bodies that do not sell anything through their apps.

2. Google Play

Google's Play Console help lists a one-time registration fee of 25 US dollars. Google may ask for ID and a payment card in your legal name, and new personal accounts must complete a closed test with 12 testers for 14 days before going live.

3. Store commission on sales

If you sell digital content or subscriptions inside the app, both stores take a share of each sale, with lower rates for small developers who apply. Bookings, deliveries and physical goods are paid outside the stores' systems.

4. Open accounts in the business's name

Enrol as an organisation, not as a person, so the app stays with the business if a developer or employee leaves. Apple asks organisations for a D-U-N-S number, which is free but can take some days to arrive.

5. What else to plan for

  • Building the app and keeping it updated for new iOS and Android versions
  • Hosting for any back end, logins or data
  • A privacy policy page and accurate privacy details
  • Store screenshots, descriptions and review notes

Updated 2026-10-29. General guidance, not advice for your situation; we scope each project in writing before any work starts.

Want us to handle it?

We can read the rejection, make the changes, write the review notes and resubmit, or set up your developer accounts from the start.

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Questions people ask first

Can I publish an app for free?

On Google Play you pay the one-time fee. On the App Store you pay yearly, unless your organisation qualifies for Apple's fee waiver.

What happens if I stop paying Apple?

Your apps are removed from the App Store until the membership is renewed.

Do I need a Mac to publish on the App Store?

Building and uploading an iOS app needs Xcode, which runs on a Mac, or a cloud build service.

Should the developer publish it under their account?

No. Publish under the business's own accounts, so you keep control of the app and its reviews.

Tell us what you need built.

Tell us the process and the tools involved, or call. We reply with questions or a written scope.

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