Apple and Epic argue over how much Apple should get from purchases made outside the App Store

2026-08-13 | original

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Why This Matters

This legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Apple and app developers over App Store fees, which could influence future app marketplace policies and developer profitability. The outcome may set important precedents for how digital marketplaces are regulated and how much they can charge for external transactions. For consumers, this could impact app pricing, availability, and the overall app ecosystem transparency.

Key Takeaways

Apple admits to charging 0% for web linkouts under certain conditions.
Apple proposes different fee rates for standard and Small Business Program apps.
Epic argues that the proposed fees exceed permissible limits and plans to challenge them in court.

Apple’s filing is in, and Apple admitted that under the Ninth Circuit’s definition of “necessary costs” they would charge 0% for purchases made via linkouts to the web.

Apple proposed linkout fees of 15% for standard apps and 5% for Small Business Program apps. Epic believes these fees are far outside of the bounds of the Ninth Circuit’s guidance on permissible fees, and we have roughly 60 days to file our opposition supported by expert witnesses.

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