Change of strategy at Google regarding the commissions developers must pay to sell on the Play Store, the digital shop that allows installations on Android devices: Mountain View has decided to open to all (or almost all) the contents of the agreement being reached with Epic Games, the software house that started a long legal battle against both Google and Apple, in order to avoid similar new requests from companies that display their software on its virtual shelves or, worse, possible antitrust fines.
GOOGLE KICKS OFF THE PLAYSTORE COMMISSION DISCOUNT SEASON
In this perspective, in the USA, the UK, and the European Economic Area, Google announced that commissions will drop from 30 to 20 percent in cases that the Internet giant has not yet detailed. The new tiers will come into effect by summer. Apps that had commissions halved to 15 will move to 10.
ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT SYSTEMS INTRODUCED
But that’s not all because Google also assured that by the end of the year it will launch a “Registered App Stores” program outside the USA that will allow developers to integrate alternative payment systems alongside Google Play’s, in exchange for a differentiated commission.
An “EPIC” VICTORY?
All this seems to be closely connected to the long legal battle carried out by Epic Games. Moreover, while the parties were fighting, the existence of a commercial partnership between Epic Games and Google worth about €800 million spread over six years came to light. Some already speculate that this partnership might have appeased Epic, pushing it to moderate its historic opposition to Mountain View’s policies.
People are getting some big things wrong about the Google settlement:
1. criticism between Epic and Google is free and clear as long as it’s not related to the settlement.
2. getting to a settlement means developers will get a better deal starting this year.
Courts typically…
— Steve Allison (@halfbakedSteve) March 5, 2026
On his part, general manager Steve Allison, also through a series of posts published on his X account (and a similar note issued by the company profile), replies that “criticizing Google is allowed on topics not related to app store distribution/commissions. Epic and Google agreed not to disparage Google only on topics related to the agreement.” And above all, he emphasizes that “Courts typically avoid setting rates, so any hope of resolution is a long and laborious process requiring years and numerous appeals. All while developers lose ground.”
