this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2026
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/59469059

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[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 3 points 10 minutes ago

What exactly does Apple think that they're brining to the equation in order to deserve that 30? Is it simply that they're hosting an app on their store, so therefore they're entitled to a cut?

So if I write a novel, and get it published, Microsoft can say "We deserve 30% because you used our product to produce your product?

I'm so fucking tired of corporations. It's well past guillotine-o-clock.

[–] ParlimentOfDoom@piefed.zip 16 points 1 hour ago (3 children)

Why isn't Apple trying to take 30% of all purchases through the Amazon app? Or eBay? Or your local grocery delivery? It's the same exact thing. Such a stupid greedy fucking attempt

[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 10 points 56 minutes ago

Because Patreon creators can't afford to sue them

[–] ComradeRachel@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 7 minutes ago

Iirc it has to do with “monthly subscriptions” and they are arguing that Patreon is a monthly subscription and those get charged at the higher amount.

It’s why subscribing to YouTube premium within iOS app costs more because Google just makes up the difference that way.

Not that’s it’s right but it’s really debatable if Patreon should be considered a monthly subscription the same way streaming services are.

[–] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 2 points 33 minutes ago

I think they’re trying to kill Patreon for some reason. Maybe they’ll launch their own Patreon competitor? Maybe they noticed developers were giving away iOS apps and getting crowdfunded on Patreon?

[–] hector@lemmy.today 1 points 4 minutes ago* (last edited 2 minutes ago)

These Silicon Valley parasites are taking way more than a fair share. Every industry is Consolidated and the few gatekeeping corporations left take more than their fair share that is the entire problem. Capitalism does not work without controls. Never has, never will. This absolute free market talk has always been ad hoc, to further the business interests of those making the arguments.

[–] ZoteTheMighty@lemmy.zip 27 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

It's wild that Steam is getting a class action lawsuit for charging 30% right now, and Apple doing shit like this at the same percentage and legally is getting a free pass.

[–] BeardededSquidward@lemmy.blahaj.zone 16 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I'll throw a hat in the ring here. It's because Steam has a grip on the gaming market that others want instead of them. That's it, they want that money instead of Valve. Apple is getting a pass on this because it's just fucking over the common guy which businesses couldn't care less about.

[–] REDACTED@infosec.pub 1 points 53 minutes ago* (last edited 50 minutes ago)

Huh? It's the businesses that will suffer from that 30% tax. It's like suddenly seeing your Netflix subscription being more expensive and that triggers this "do I even need it anymore?" evaluation

If it costs 13€ to support a 10€ Patreon pledge, then how do you expect the company to cover for that? Paying the creator less? Still, that will spawn competition, which again hurts the business

[–] Dindonmasker@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I've been warned many times in the past to not subscribe to people on the patreon app since it costs more then in browser because of the app store's cut. So is this just even worse then it was or was that just for the google play store before?

[–] ComradeRachel@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 minutes ago

Ya I always subscribe on the website. Google and Apple have both charged extra fees for monthly subscriptions bought within the app.

[–] Bunbury@feddit.nl 1 points 41 minutes ago

Luckily I’m about to switch to graphene OS soon. I’ll be forced to make a bunch of changes to choices I made out of convenience in the past

[–] Zexks@lemmy.world 1 points 42 minutes ago

Its the same with pretty much EVERY app on the apple store. Everything there is 30% more than the same thing bought elswhere

[–] myfunnyaccountname@lemmy.zip 25 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Think. Of. The. Shareholders.

[–] BioDriver@lemmy.world 5 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

I’m an Apple shareholder and think this is a great way to lose engagement and revenue

[–] myfunnyaccountname@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 hour ago

Willing to sell those shares?

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 hours ago

Do you have enough shares for your vote to mean anything?

[–] melsaskca@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 hours ago

Evil corp wants even more. Ho-hum. Sigh. Anyway...

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 6 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

Parasitic Tech must end. It's supposed to help us, not spy on us and steal from us.

[–] FireWire400@lemmy.world 70 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (3 children)

I hope Patreon will just switch off the ability to pay through the iOS app, along with a nice fuck you-message to Apple that pops up when you first open the app

[–] lost_faith@lemmy.ca 20 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

Last time this came up Patreon simply allowed the creators to charge the commission directly on top of the price for non apple users, or eat the 30% loss. So everyone not using iOS would pay, say, $5/month, iOS users would pay $5+30%. Hope they retain that option.

[–] ComradeRachel@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 minutes ago

Ya a few apps already do this. YouTube premium does for sure and I have heard a few others doing so.

[–] FireWire400@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

That's actually a good solution

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Is it? Previously this was considered tips

Now it’s 30% for what? Running a payment gateway and hiding an unsubscribe button deep in the App Store UI.

Competitively payment gateways charge 1-3%, but when you lock down a platform you can charge 10x that.

[–] lost_faith@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 hour ago

Yeah, I remember cause my Patreon account asked me what I wanted to do about apple trying to steal my money

p.s. I never push Patreon so have no subs lol

[–] lando55@lemmy.zip 1 points 53 minutes ago

I was actually curious how this currently works as I've never used the Patreon app, so thanks for that. I'm sure it's a nice convenience to be able to transact through the app, but not 30% passive Apple income levels of nice. It's too bad they are stuck in their flat-rate commission model, because alienating third-party developers and businesses in this manner will kill their ecosystem.

Can any current creators on Patreon provide some insight into how the revenue streams break down between the iOS/Android app platforms versus the website? What impact do you foresee if instead of a payment option in the app it simply directs you to the website?

[–] artyom@piefed.social 4 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

It's against App Store rules to inform your customers they're being fucked by Apple in any way. If you do, they'll take it down.

[–] eager_eagle@lemmy.world 1 points 34 minutes ago

Isn't it against the law in many places to charge customers without providing a breakdown of what they're being charged with?

[–] JensSpahnpasta@feddit.org 217 points 7 hours ago (16 children)

To make this clear: Patreon is a platform mainly used by creators, artists, musicians to get a reliable income directly from their fans. Apple is trying to steal 30% of the income of our favorite artists.

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