The Impact of Apple’s 30 Percent Commission on Patreon Memberships

Apple recently announced that Patreon memberships sold on the iOS app will be subject to a 30 percent commission on in-app purchases starting in November. This means that creators using Patreon will now have to use Apple’s in-app payment system or risk being removed from the App Store.

As a result of this new policy, creators on Patreon will need to switch to Patreon’s subscription billing method in order to continue earning money through the platform’s iOS app. This change will apply to both new memberships as well as renewals, leading to a decrease in earnings for creators due to Apple’s commission.

To help offset the financial impact of the new fee, Patreon is giving creators the option to automatically increase their prices within the iOS app. However, this means that transactions made through the Patreon app on iOS will be more expensive compared to those made on the web or through the Android app.

Until this year, Patreon was able to avoid Apple’s 30 percent commission by using alternative payment processors. However, this exemption is coming to an end, and Patreon will now have to comply with Apple’s payment system. CEO Jack Conte previously mentioned that Patreon did not have a special contract with Apple, leading to the company having to abide by App Store policies like everyone else.

The implementation of Apple’s commission on Patreon memberships will ultimately result in creators receiving less money for their work. With Patreon already having platform fees in place, Apple’s commission will further decrease the earnings of creators. This change may lead to creators having to absorb the additional cost themselves or increase prices for their patrons.

Apple’s new policy regarding the 30 percent commission on Patreon memberships sold through the iOS app will have a significant impact on creators. By forcing Patreon to use their in-app payment system, Apple is effectively reducing the earnings of creators on the platform. It remains to be seen how creators and patrons will adapt to these changes and whether alternative solutions will be sought out in response to Apple’s commission.