Apple Slashes Commission to 15% for Mini-App Developers: What It Means for the App Economy

Apple has introduced a significant change to its App Store business model: developers of “mini-apps” can now qualify for a commission rate of 15%, down from the standard up-to-30% rate on in-app purchases. The new initiative, called the Mini Apps Partner Program, is aimed at self-contained experiences hosted within larger apps and built on web technologies such as HTML5 and JavaScript. This update marks Apple’s most dramatic shift in fee structure for this category to date.

In this article, we’ll unpack what qualifies as a “mini-app,” the eligibility criteria for the program, the broader motivations behind Apple’s move, its implications for developers and host apps, and how this may shape the future of app distribution and digital commerce.

What Are Mini-Apps? Defining the Ecosystem

Mini-apps are lightweight applications that run inside larger host apps rather than being downloaded as standalone native apps. These experiences commonly use web technologies (HTML5, JavaScript) and can include games, utilities, streaming features, tools or other services embedded within a host app. Apple describes them as “self-contained experiences” distributed via the App Store through a host application.

Examples of mini-apps are already prominent in markets like China, where platforms such as Tencent’s WeChat or Alipay host games, services and micro-apps inside their ecosystems. The trend is spreading globally, with apps like ChatGPT embedding mini-app launchers for services like travel booking, e-commerce and productivity tools. Apple’s new program aims to capture this shift and formalise hosting models inside iOS.

The New Program: Terms, Requirements & Commission Reduction

Under the Mini Apps Partner Program, Apple offers a reduced commission rate of 15% on qualifying in-app purchases (IAPs) for mini-apps that meet specific conditions. This is effectively half of the standard maximum rate—traditionally up to 30% for digital purchases on the App Store.

Key eligibility factors include:

• The host app must be listed in the App Store (iOS or iPadOS) and satisfy Apple’s Developer Program License Agreement and App Review Guidelines including those for mini-apps (Guideline 4.7).

• The mini-app must integrate Apple’s required technologies, including the Advanced Commerce API and the Declared Age Rating API. The latter ensures that content is age-appropriate and that Apple’s trust and safety frameworks are used.

• All IAPs inside the mini-app must use Apple’s in-app purchase system and report user transactions (including refunds) to Apple.

• Only digital goods and services qualify under the reduced commission—these include consumables, non-consumables, subscriptions (auto-renewing or non-renewing) inside the mini-app.

By meeting these criteria, developers can pay only 15% commission instead of the full 30% rate on in-app revenue tied to the mini-app portion. Apple positions this as a way to support developers who host mini-apps and encourage adoption of Apple’s commerce and age-verification tools.

Why Apple Is Making This Move: Strategy and Market Pressure

There are several motivations behind Apple’s decision to reduce the rate for mini-apps:

1. Responding to the Rise of Host-App Ecosystems

The mini-app model offers powerful advantages: it allows platforms to host multiple services inside one app, driving retention and monetisation beyond the traditional standalone app model. Apple recognizes the growth of this model globally, especially in China and increasingly in the West. By offering a reduced rate, Apple allows host apps to scale mini-app ecosystems while still capturing commission revenue.

2. Regulatory & Antitrust Implications

Apple faces regulatory scrutiny in many markets over its control of the App Store ecosystem and commission fees. By creating a special rate for mini-apps, Apple can show flexibility and possibly mitigate pressure. For example, the U.S. Department of Justice has addressed concerns around “super apps” and vertical control of platform commerce. The new program may form part of Apple’s strategic response to these issues.

3. Promoting Apple’s Commerce & Safety Technologies

By tying the reduced commission to use of Apple’s Advanced Commerce API and age-verification tools, Apple incentivises developers to adopt Apple’s frameworks for payments, user-data handling and trust/safety. That helps Apple maintain oversight and continuity in digital goods purchases, even as mini-apps proliferate.

4. Preserving Commission Revenue While Adapting

Rather than lose revenue to external payments or alternative models, Apple ensures that mini-app transactions still use Apple IAP and pay commission—just at a reduced rate. This lets Apple participate in the future of embedded app ecosystems while evolving its business model.

Implications for Developers, Host Apps and the Market

This change has wide-ranging effects across app developers, host platforms, and strategic planning for app monetisation:

For Mini-App Developers

• Reduced cost structure: A 15% commission instead of 30% means a higher share of revenue retained, improving margins.

• New opportunities for distribution: Mini-apps inside popular host apps may gain access to host platform audiences and marketing channels, leveraging visibility.

• Stricter compliance: Developers must adopt Apple’s required APIs and age-verification systems, which may require technical integration and process adaptation.

• Competitive advantage: Early adopters may gain lead in mini-app ecosystems, attracting users who prefer integrated, in-host-app experiences.

For Host Apps (Platforms)

• Revenue model flexibility: Host platforms can build mini-app stores or ecosystems inside their app, with Apple’s reduced fee structure applying.

• Enhanced user-retention: The mini-app model fosters deeper engagement as users stay inside one app encountering many services, purchases and experiences.

• Negotiation power: Host apps must still negotiate terms with mini-app developers (revenue share, placement, branding), but Apple’s rate gives a clearer baseline.

• Strategic ecosystem play: Popular host apps (messengers, super apps, productivity platforms) may expand into mini-app marketplaces, games, streamed services.

For the Market & Industry

• Shift from standalone apps to embedded experiences: If mini-apps scale successfully, we may see fewer independent downloads and more host-app ecosystems.

• App Store commission evolution: Apple’s 30% standard may gradually give way to tiered, context-based models depending on app structure, service type or regional market.

• Global expansion implications: As mini-apps succeed in China, Apple’s move signals readiness to bring similar models to Western markets—potentially altering app commerce dynamics.

• Developer strategy re-alignment: Developers may reconsider building standalone apps vs “guest” minis inside host apps to tap lower fees and built-in user bases.

Key Considerations and Limitations

While the program opens opportunities, it also comes with important caveats:

• Eligibility isn’t automatic: Not every host app or mini-app will qualify; meeting the required APIs, age-verification and IAP systems is mandatory.

• Mini-app model complexity: Developers must consider revenue split with the host app, technical integration inside the host environment, and potential dependency on host platform rules.

• Limited to digital goods: The 15% rate specifically applies to digital goods and services purchased via mini-apps using Apple IAP—physical goods or payments outside IAP still follow other rules.

• Regional enforcement and availability: While the program is global, market adoption and host-app ecosystems vary by region; early benefit may be stronger in markets with mature mini-app usage (e.g., China).

• Sustainability of business models: While commission is lower, developers still need to build compelling mini-app experiences and generate sufficient volume to make it meaningful.

• Host-app leverage risk: Mini-app developers may become dependent on host platforms for distribution and visibility, which can shift power dynamics.

What to Watch Next

Here are key developments to follow as this program unfolds:

• Developer uptake numbers: How many mini-app creators opt into the 15% program, and how quickly the ecosystem grows.

• Host-app launches: Which major host apps (global messengers, platforms) build mini-app marketplaces inside iOS—and how they monetise.

• Regulatory response: Whether regulators view the program as a meaningful step in addressing platform competition concerns (or whether they press for further reform).

• Revenue impact for Apple: Analysing how the reduced rate affects Apple’s App Store revenue, and whether volume increases offset lower margin.

• Feature expansion: Whether Apple adapts the model further (e.g., lower rates for educational apps, physical goods, or new tiers) and whether competing platforms (e.g., Android-based host apps) respond.

• Developer strategy shifts: Whether independent developers choose to build standalone apps or partner with host-apps plus mini-apps, based on revenue share, distribution cost, competition and user behaviour.

Apple’s launch of the Mini Apps Partner Program—with a reduced commission rate of 15% for qualifying mini-apps—marks a significant pivot in how the company conceives app commerce and developer economics. By formalising a model for embedded experiences inside host apps, and by tying commercial incentives to adoption of Apple’s commerce and age-verification technologies, Apple aims to harness the growing mini-app trend while maintaining its revenue funnel.

For developers, this opens a meaningful new path: greater revenue retention, potential access to large host app audiences, and differentiation from standalone app models. For host-app platforms, the program provides a strategic lever to build mini-app ecosystems within iOS, potentially enhancing engagement and monetisation. For the industry at large, this may accelerate a shift away from the traditional “download, install, use” paradigm toward more integrated in-app marketplaces and micro-experiences.

However, the benefits come with practical trade-offs: integration complexity, dependency on host platforms, and evolving user behaviour. Whether this model becomes a dominant form of app distribution remains to be seen—but Apple’s move signals that the company believes it will be an important part of the future.

As the program launches, developers and platforms alike will be watching closely: how quickly the model scales, how user monetisation evolves, and whether the 15% rate proves sustainable—or perhaps becomes the new standard for broader classes of apps. One thing is clear: the app economy is shifting, and Apple’s commission model just flipped a meaningful switch.