APPLE’S APP STORE CASH COW: $10 BILLION in U.S. Commissions Last Year – And They’re FIGHTING TO KEEP IT
THE APP STORE MONEY MACHINE IS STILL PRINTING BILLIONS
Hold onto your developer hats – Apple just vacuumed up $10.1 BILLION from U.S. App Store commissions in 2024 alone. That’s not just growth – that’s a DOUBLE-UP from their $4.76 billion haul in 2020. These explosive numbers come straight from app intelligence powerhouse Appfigures, and they reveal why Apple is battling tooth and nail to protect this golden goose.
“This isn’t just revenue – it’s pure oxygen for Apple’s services ecosystem. That 30% cut is the lifeblood of their walled garden.”
Mobile Ecosystem Analyst
THE GLOBAL PICTURE IS EVEN WILDER
While U.S. numbers are staggering, the worldwide App Store haul will blow your mind:
- $91.3 billion – Total global App Store revenue in 2024
- $27.39 billion – Apple’s global commission take
- 104% growth in U.S. commissions since 2020
THE BATTLEGROUND: WHY THESE NUMBERS MATTER NOW
This isn’t just about fat profits – we’re in the middle of a DEVELOPER REVOLUTION. After years of legal battles, Apple just got FORCED to drop their 27% “tax” on outside payments. Major players like Spotify and Amazon Kindle are already breaking free, while indie devs like Delta game emulator are using Patreon to escape Apple’s grip.
“Apple’s ‘grave irreparable harm’ argument is laughable when you see these numbers. This is about protecting a monopoly, plain and simple.”
Antitrust Legal Expert
WHERE THE MONEY’S REALLY FLOWING
Breakdown of Apple’s 2024 U.S. commission haul:
- $6.28 billion from apps (61% of total)
- $3.83 billion from games (37% of total)
- The remaining 2% from other services
THE BOTTOM LINE: APPLE WON’T GO QUIETLY
With billions at stake every quarter, Apple’s legal team is fighting like cornered tigers. Their recent appeal claims the ruling causes “grave irreparable harm” – but developers worldwide are calling BS. As one angry dev put it: “They’ve been overcharging us for years. Now the chickens are coming home to roost.”
WATCH THIS SPACE: With Apple appealing and major apps already testing alternative payment systems, 2025 could be the year the App Store monopoly finally cracks. Game on.
