Microsoft is eliminating developer onboarding charges for the Microsoft Retailer on Home windows, the digital distribution platform for its flagship working system, the corporate introduced Monday throughout its Construct 2025 convention.
Beginning June 2025, particular person builders will be capable of enroll and publish apps to the Microsoft Retailer with out having to pay to register an account. Beforehand, Microsoft charged round $19 for registration.
The waiving of the Microsoft Retailer’s app publishing charges comes as Microsoft rival Apple faces intense authorized stress to remove sure developer charges it fees within the App Retailer. These charges are commissions, nevertheless — Apple nonetheless levies an annual price of $99 on builders publishing to the App Retailer. In the meantime, Google fees a one-time $25 price for Google Play, the app retailer on Android.
Microsoft says that it’s going to proceed to cost builders with apps on the Microsoft Retailer who use its commerce platform a 12% price for video games and a 15% price for apps. Builders who use their very own commerce system hold 100% of the income for non-gaming apps.
