What is the App Store Small Business Program?

The App Store Small Business Program reduces Apple's commission from 30% to 15% for developers who earned less than $1 million in proceeds across their apps in the previous calendar year. Nearly every indie developer qualifies – but enrollment is not automatic; you apply through App Store Connect.

The difference is big: at $50,000 a year in sales, the program is worth roughly $7,500 annually. If you're eligible and not enrolled, this is the highest-paying five minutes available to you as an app developer.

The only rough patch at least has a silver lining: when you make more than $1,000,000 per year, you go straight back to the full 30% the following year – even for sales below the threshold.

Kickstart separates proceeds by Apple's 15% and 30% commission tiers, so the financial effect of the Small Business Program is visible in your real revenue reports.