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Insights and Expertise

Regulations empower for developers, particularly in areas of compliance, user
experience and technology integration.
developers in app From app store control to developer autonomy

economy power shift The push for greater flexibility in digital transactions
has been gaining momentum worldwide. In the United
States, Epic Games won two lawsuits against Apple and
Google over their in-app payment restrictions, allowing
merchants to integrate other payment providers and
preventing Apple and Google from charging their 30
percent commission for transactions made outside their
billing platforms.

Merchants like Spotify, Amazon (Kindle) and Epic have
quickly acted and changed their apps to provide new
payment experiences to their consumers.

In parallel, Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which came into
force in 2024, has set a clear precedent by requiring large
tech gatekeepers to allow alternative billing methods, with
penalties of up to 10 percent of global annual turnover for
non-compliance. Apple and Google have implemented
alternative terms for app developers in this market,
lowering fees and other restrictions.

Overall, this evolution is a shift toward a more open,
By Menno Hoekstra multi-provider digital payments landscape rather than a
Worldline Global simple price drop across the board.

or many years, the digital app economy has been Strategic benefits of third-party billing
shaped and controlled by the two dominant app
stores, iOS and Android. These platforms dictat- While the transition introduces uncertainty, the benefits
F ed the rules governing how developers and app of third-party billing for developers are extensive and
store owners could monetize their applications, including compelling. Five advantages stand out and underscore
rigid policies on in-app purchases, payment methods and why third-party billing is not just a regulatory compliance
subscription models. measure but also a strategic lever for competitive
advantage.
Consumers, too, were largely restricted, forced to rely 1. Higher profit margins: By bypassing the steep fees
on the limited payment systems approved by app store historically charged by app stores, often between 15
owners. and 30 percent, developers retain a larger share of rev-
enue. This margin expansion not only enhances profit-
Today, this long-standing status quo is undergoing a ability but also provides businesses with the flexibility
dramatic shift. A wave of regulatory reforms across global to reinvest in growth, product innovation or user ac-
markets is redistributing control, placing significantly quisition.
more power into the hands of application developers.
This transformation is not merely about compliance; it 2. Tailored checkout experiences: Developers can now
represents a fundamental restructuring of the app store design payment processes that align seamlessly with
economy. their brand identity. From interface design to upselling
opportunities, the checkout journey can be fully op-
Developers are gaining the ability to select and integrate timized to drive conversions and reinforce customer
third-party payment providers, thereby offering trust.
consumers greater freedom, choice and transparency in
how they transact online. 3. Greater payment options for consumers: Payment
preferences vary widely across regions. While credit
For businesses operating in the app economy, these cards may dominate in North America, digital wallets
changes carry far-reaching implications. They unlock and local payment platforms are increasingly preva-
opportunities for improved profitability, enhanced lent in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Sup-
customer engagement and innovative service design. At the porting a broad spectrum of payment options directly
same time, they introduce new operational considerations improves conversion rates, reduces cart abandonment

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