Google Gives Developers of Subscription-Based Android Apps a Raise

Following through on its promise, Google is giving developers of subscription-based Android apps and games a raise. During the first year of a subscription,

Subscription News: Google Gives Developers of Subscription-Based Android Apps a Raise

Source: Google

Following through on its promise, Google is giving developers of subscription-based Android apps and games a raise. During the first year of a subscription, developers share 30 percent of the subscription revenue with Google. After one year of a continuous subscription, developers only have to share 15 percent of their revenue, similar to Apple’s revenue share program. Google has not updated its In-app Subscriptions page to reflect the change yet.

According to The Verge, who reported the coming changes in October, Google is trying to compete with Apple for the attention of app developers. Google is also trying to keep subscription services like Spotify from bypassing the Google Play Store to avoid paying the revenue share. Developers who focus on providing quality products and services for their customers will have an incentive to retain their subscribers, while Google has a chance to attract developers to their platform, reports Android Headlines.

Subscription News: Google Gives Developers of Subscription-Based Android Apps a Raise

Source: Google

The new changes come just a few weeks after Apple announces new subscription features to its program including introductory pricing and limited-time free trials on auto-renewable app subscriptions. Google is offering similar features, according to Google’s Developer site. Here are some of the Android subscription apps and games available through Google:

  • With in-app billing, developers can sell subscriptions to content, services or features for apps and games with recurring, automated billing.
  • Developers have complete control over the pricing of their subscription, including the ability to offer tiered pricing.
  • Recurring billing can be offered weekly, monthly, every three months, every six months, annually or seasonally.
  • Seasonal subscriptions can be offered such as sports-related apps or games which span a specific season. Developers can pro-rate seasonal subscriptions that begin after the start date for the season.
  • Subscriptions can also be manually renewed, if the developer prefers.
  • Subscribers can upgrade or downgrade their subscriptions during their active period.
  • Developers can offer deferred billing for up to one year per user. This can be used to offer free access to content as a goodwill gesture, in exchange for a specific action (e.g., taking a survey, signing for an email newsletter, etc.)
  • Developers can offer free trials with a minimum of three days.

Insider Take:

It is interesting to watch Apple and Google jockey for position with their offerings for developers. First, Apple changes its pricing structure to cut developers a break. Then Google announces it will do the same. Meanwhile, Apple is working on new introductory pricing and free trials for their subscriptions, but when Google matches their pricing, they have all of these features built in.

The bottom line: developers will get basically the same deal and options regardless of the platform they choose. In competing for the attention of developers, Apple and Google are creating an improved experience for everyone.

Up Next

Register Now For Email Subscription News Updates!

Search this site

You May Be Interested in: