Stripe empowers iOS developers to sidestep Apple’s App Store fees after landmark court ruling

Stripe is stepping up to help iOS developers take advantage of newfound freedom from Apple’s notoriously high App Store commissions, following a significant legal defeat for the tech giant. In the wake of a ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers—who sharply criticized Apple for its resistance to enabling external payment links—Stripe has published a new guide showing developers how to redirect payments outside the App Store ecosystem.

On Thursday, Stripe product manager Michael Luo announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the company had released a “quick guide” to help developers integrate Stripe Checkout into their iOS apps. This guide walks through how to embed links that direct users to secure, Stripe-hosted payment pages, effectively bypassing Apple’s 30% cut of in-app transactions.

Stripe 🤝iOS developers

Big news iOS app developers! You can now accept payments with @stripe outside of your app, with no iOS app store commissions.

The Stripe team 🧑‍🍳cooked up a quick guide walking you through how. Go live now!

Docs in the 🧵 pic.twitter.com/gKguWwBanv

— Michael Luo (@AzianMike) May 1, 2025

This move comes after the court found that Apple had failed to comply with a prior injunction in its antitrust case with Epic Games. Despite a previous mandate requiring Apple to allow developers to inform users of alternative payment methods, the company instead offered a limited reduction in commission—down to 27%—and implemented warning screens to deter users from venturing off-platform. Judge Rogers ruled that such measures defied both the intent and the letter of her original order, prompting immediate policy revisions.

While Stripe’s solution requires more setup than using Apple’s built-in in-app purchase system, the potential savings are substantial. Stripe charges a standard processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction—significantly less than Apple’s 30% commission. Even Apple’s reduced 15% fee for small developers and subscription apps, starting in the second year, pales in comparison to Stripe’s pricing.

The developer community has responded with enthusiasm. Stripe’s announcement has gone viral on social media, drawing attention and praise from prominent figures in the tech world. David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founder of 37Signals and creator of Ruby on Rails, applauded Stripe’s initiative. Hansson, a vocal critic of Apple’s App Store practices, called the court’s decision and Stripe’s response a pivotal moment for software developers.

“Apple’s loss in court is immediately opening up a whole new world for app developers,” Hansson wrote on X. “Entire business models were impossible under the old 30% regime.”