Recently, Patreon announced that memberships sold on their iOS app will now be subject to Apple’s 30 percent commission on in-app purchases. According to a post by Patreon, Apple is forcing the platform to use their in-app payment system starting in November or face the risk of being removed from the App Store.
Creators’ Dilemma
As part of this change, creators will be required to switch to Patreon’s subscription billing method in order to continue earning money through the iOS app. This means that Apple’s 30 percent commission will be applied each time a new membership is purchased or renewed. To help offset these costs, Patreon will offer creators the option to automatically increase their prices within the iOS app.
Effect on Creators
While existing subscriptions and memberships on Patreon’s website or Android app will not be affected by this change, creators will still end up receiving less money for their work. The additional Apple App Store Fee will make transactions through the iOS app more expensive compared to purchases made on the web.
Patreon had previously been able to bypass Apple’s 30 percent commission by using alternative payment processors. However, in 2024, they were informed that they would need to switch to Apple’s payment in-app system, leading to the implementation of the commission on digital goods.
While Patreon CEO Jack Conte had previously mentioned that they did not have a special contract with Apple and had to abide by the App Store policies, it was pointed out that users do not visit Patreon to discover creators and content. Despite this, Apple decided to enforce the 30 percent commission on new memberships and subscriptions through the platform’s iOS app.
The introduction of Apple’s 30 percent commission on Patreon memberships sold through their iOS app will have a significant impact on creators. With the additional fee in place, creators will have to navigate the dilemma of whether to absorb the cost themselves or pass it on to their supporters. This change underscores the power dynamics between tech giants like Apple and smaller platforms like Patreon, where creators often rely on the support of their audiences to sustain their work.
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