Apple's requirements are about to hit creators and fans on Patreon
Apple is forcing Patreon to route iOS payments through its in‑app purchase system and to abandon per‑creation billing in favor of standard subscriptions, or risk removal from the App Store. Commenters argue this effectively gives Apple a 30% cut of many creator donations and even reshapes Patreon’s business model for users on all platforms, raising accusations of monopoly power, rent‑seeking, and enshittification. Some see value in Apple’s centralized subscription management and security, but many call for regulatory action, wider use of the open web, or alternative platforms to curb Apple’s leverage over third‑party services.
Scope of Apple’s New Requirements
- Apple’s 30% App Store fee will apply to all new Patreon memberships and shop purchases made inside the iOS app.
- Commenters highlight Apple’s rule that digital goods/services consumed in the app must use in‑app purchase; “donations” that unlock content are treated as digital sales.
- Patreon says Apple will not allow “unsupported billing models” in the app and threatens removal if Patreon disables in‑app transactions or keeps incompatible models.
Impact on Patreon’s Billing Models
- Patreon plans to end per‑creation and “first‑of‑month” billing by Nov 2025, moving everyone to monthly/annual subscriptions.
- Many creators and patrons see per‑creation as central to Patreon’s value: it aligns payment with output and allows guilt‑free breaks.
- Others note Patreon has long de‑emphasized per‑creation and suspect the company is using Apple as cover to kill a costly/awkward feature.
- Several creators say they will cancel or leave Patreon if forced into flat monthly billing.
Who Really Pays the “Apple Tax”?
- Creators can either raise iOS prices ~43% to net the same amount or eat the 30% cut.
- Commenters expect most will raise prices, so iOS users effectively pay more than web/Android users for identical access.
- Some argue Patreon, whose cut is smaller than 30%, can’t realistically absorb this; others say everyone loses except Apple.
Why Not Drop the iOS App or Use Only the Web?
- Many suggest: ditch the app or remove in‑app purchases and push users to the mobile web.
- Counterpoints:
- Patreon’s own data (referenced from a video) allegedly shows iOS is its most‑used platform.
- Native apps convert far better than web forms; users expect apps and push notifications.
- iOS PWAs and Safari are seen as technically and UX‑wise inferior or intentionally limited.
- Apple’s anti‑steering and external‑link rules make it risky or costly to tell users to pay elsewhere.
Fairness, Antitrust, and Comparisons
- Many view this as classic abuse of gatekeeper power: Apple forcing a third party to redesign its business, even affecting non‑Apple users.
- Comparisons are drawn to Steam, credit cards, game consoles, Costco, and Standard Oil; opinions differ on how analogous they are.
- Some defend Apple: app distribution, fraud handling, tax/currency complexity, and easy centralized cancellations justify a significant fee (though many still say 30% is too high).
- Others call for regulation, breakup, or forced openness (alternative app stores, sideloading, or FRAND‑style terms).
Broader App vs Web and “Middleman” Debates
- A recurring thread questions why every service needs an app; some blame data‑collection incentives and Apple’s long neglect of the mobile web.
- There is discussion of “middlemen” everywhere (Apple, Patreon, Visa, PayPal, Steam), with some proposing non‑profit platforms or stronger consumer‑protection laws (e.g., ban dark‑pattern cancellations).