Apple Slashes Fees by 50% for ’Mini Apps’—Developers Rejoice as AAPL Loosens Grip

Apple's surprise pivot: The tech giant just halved its notorious mini-app commission fees. AAPL's walled garden gets a price cut—but is it enough to silence antitrust critics?

Under the new structure, developers gain breathing room while Apple still pockets its pound of flesh. A classic 'give an inch, take a mile' play from the world's most valuable company. Wall Street analysts predict the move will boost developer adoption—and Apple's services revenue—just in time for holiday earnings season.

One hedge fund manager quipped: 'Even Scrooge McDuck would call this fee structure greedy—but at least it's 50% less greedy than yesterday.'

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The “Mini Apps Partner Program” offers app developers a reduced fee in exchange for using some of Apple’s technology to build their apps. This includes using Apple software to register a user’s purchase history, verify user ages, and to process in-app purchases.

A mini app is a piece of software that’s embedded in a third-party app store, such as Discord. These apps are typically built using web technology like HTML or JavaScript. The approach Apple is taking is similar to China’s WeChat, which offers millions of mini apps built by other developers. Artificial intelligence (AI) companies such as privately held OpenAI are increasingly integrating mini apps into their chatbots.

App Store Evolution

The approach to mini apps is Apple’s latest effort to grow and evolve its App Store. The company has been under pressure from regulators in Europe and the U.S. to give up control over its App Store and reduce the fees it charges.

In most countries, Apple’s App Store is the only way to install software on an iPhone device. In recent years, Apple has offered similar programs for video apps, news apps, and small app developers that reduce the fees charged in exchange for developers choosing deeper integration in Apple’s ecosystem.

Is AAPL Stock a Buy?

The stock of Apple has a consensus Moderate Buy rating among 35 Wall Street analysts. That rating is based on 21 Buy, 12 Hold, and two Sell recommendations issued in the last three months. The average AAPL price target of $289.80 implies 6.20% upside from current levels.