What Is the Small Business Program?
Both Apple and Google offer programs that reduce the standard 30% commission to 15% for developers earning below a certain revenue threshold. These programs were introduced to support independent developers and small studios, and they remain active in 2026.
For qualifying developers, this effectively doubles the net revenue from every transaction compared to the standard rate. If you earn under the threshold, enrolling is one of the simplest ways to increase your income.
Apple App Store Small Business Program
Eligibility
- Your total proceeds (not gross revenue) from all apps must be under $1 million in the previous calendar year
- Proceeds = gross revenue minus Apple's commission. So if you earned $1.4M gross at 30% commission, your proceeds were $980K, and you would qualify.
- All apps under your developer account and any associated accounts count toward the threshold
Associated Accounts
Apple checks for associated accounts, which are other developer accounts linked to yours through shared ownership, legal entities, or management. If you control multiple accounts, their combined proceeds determine eligibility.
How to Apply
- Go to developer.apple.com/app-store/small-business-program/
- Sign in with your developer account
- Confirm your account details and agree to the terms
- Apple reviews the application (typically approved within a few days)
If approved, the 15% rate applies starting January 1 of the next year (or immediately if you enroll during Apple's enrollment window).
What Happens If You Exceed $1M?
If your proceeds exceed $1 million during a calendar year, you revert to the standard 30% rate for the remainder of that year. You can re-enroll for the next year if your proceeds in the exceeded year drop back below $1M. The check is annual: if calendar year 2025 proceeds were under $1M, you qualify for all of 2026.
Commission Breakdown
| Scenario | Commission |
|---|---|
| Standard | 30% |
| Small Business Program | 15% |
| Subscriptions Year 2+ (standard) | 15% |
| Subscriptions Year 2+ (SBP) | 15% |
Note: For Year 2+ subscriptions, the rate is 15% regardless of Small Business Program enrollment. The program primarily benefits one-time purchases and first-year subscriptions.
Google Play Small Business Program
Eligibility
- Annual earned revenue (not proceeds) must be under $1 million across all apps
- Google uses gross revenue, which makes the calculation simpler than Apple's proceeds-based approach
- All apps under the developer account count
How to Apply
- Go to Google Play Console
- Navigate to Monetization setup > Commission rate
- Review and accept the program terms
- The reduced rate applies to the first $1 million earned each year
Key Difference from Apple
Google's program applies to the first $1 million earned each year, regardless of total revenue. This means even developers who earn more than $1M pay only 15% on their first million and 30% on the rest. Apple's program is all-or-nothing: if you exceed $1M, you lose the 15% rate entirely for that year.
Commission Breakdown
| Revenue Range | Google Commission |
|---|---|
| First $1M (enrolled) | 15% |
| Above $1M | 30% |
| Subscriptions (all) | 15% |
Impact Calculation
Understanding the real-world impact:
Example: App earning $500,000/year in IAP revenue
| Standard (30%) | Small Business (15%) | Savings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | $150,000 commission | $75,000 commission | $75,000/year |
| $150,000 commission | $75,000 commission | $75,000/year |
That is a significant difference for an independent developer or small team. The savings can fund additional development, marketing, or team growth.
Example: App earning $2,000,000/year
| Apple | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $600,000 (30%) | $600,000 (30%) |
| With SBP | Not eligible | $150,000 (15% on first $1M) + $300,000 (30% on second $1M) = $450,000 |
| Savings | $0 | $150,000 |
Google's structure benefits developers at all revenue levels, while Apple's program is targeted specifically at smaller developers.
EU Digital Markets Act Considerations
In the EU, alternative payment processing introduces new commission dynamics:
- Apple's alternative payment rate is 27% (standard) or 12% (Small Business Program)
- The Core Technology Fee (0.50 EUR per annual install above 1M) may apply
- For most small developers, the standard Small Business Program within Apple's ecosystem remains simpler and cheaper than alternative arrangements
Tips for Maximizing the Benefit
- Enroll as soon as possible: There is no downside to enrolling if you qualify
- Monitor proceeds monthly: Track your trajectory to avoid exceeding the threshold unexpectedly
- Consider account structure: Associated accounts on Apple count toward the limit
- Plan marketing spend: The extra 15% margin can fund user acquisition that pays for itself
Related Topics
- App Store Commission Rates - Full breakdown of Apple and Google commission structures
- Revenue Reporting and Payments - How commissions affect your payout reports
- Auto-Renewable Subscriptions - Subscription-specific commission rates and year 2+ benefits