Microsoft is permitting builders to submit apps to its Home windows retailer with out having to pay any onboarding charges. Particular person builders in practically 200 international locations can now sign up to publish apps on the Microsoft Retailer with only a private Microsoft account, and no extra one-time charges.
Microsoft began reducing its $19 one-time charge to publish apps to its Home windows retailer in June in sure markets, and it’s now primarily eradicating this charge for all builders worldwide. Apple nonetheless fees an annual $99 charge to builders, and Google fees a one-time registration charge of $25.
“Builders will now not want a bank card to get began, eradicating a key level of friction that has affected many creators all over the world,” explains Chetna Das, senior product supervisor at Microsoft. “By eliminating these one-time charges, Microsoft is making a extra inclusive and accessible platform that empowers extra builders to innovate, share and thrive on the Home windows ecosystem.”
Microsoft has been regularly upgrading its Home windows retailer over the previous few years, with standalone installers, an up to date internet model, and enhancements to the consumer expertise of downloading and putting in apps. The Microsoft Retailer is now utilized by greater than 250 million month-to-month lively customers, in keeping with Microsoft.
Microsoft is now encouraging extra builders to utilize the shop, the place they’ll publish a wide range of Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET, MAUI, or Electron apps. Builders may even use their very own in-app commerce system to maintain 100% of their revenues on non-gaming apps.