You’ll soon have more ways to pay in Android apps— but will you pay less?
You’ll soon have more ways to pay in Android apps— but will you pay less?
https://www.howtogeek.com/google-play-alternative-billing-choice-for-android-apps/
Publish Date: 2026-06-24 17:56:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
You’re about to get more purchase options inside Android apps. Google is widening its Play Store “billing choice” program starting on June 30, giving you ways to pay beyond the official solution — although fee changes mean you’re not guaranteed to save money.
The expansion lets any creator on the Play Store use their own billing systems when charging for in-app purchases, so long as they’re offering that content to users in the U.K. and the European Economic Area (EEA). They can either build their payment methods into their apps at checkout or point you to their website. The U.S. already has similar programs, but the program will also cover in-app payments in Australia (September 30), Japan, and South Korea (December 31), and eventually the rest of the world (September 30, 2027).
The behind-the-scenes fees you pay are changing as well, including in the States, the U.K., and the EEA. As of June 30, app developers making under $1 million per year will pay Google a 10 percent service fee, plus a billing fee if they use the Play Store. Companies making more than $1 million will pay 20 to 25 percent for one-time purchases, although their subscription costs won’t change.
Those big developers that provide “exceptional user experiences” and qualify for special programs can lower their rates to between 15 and 20 percent, although that won’t start kicking in until September 30.
Will paying outside the Google Play Store save me money?
You might get more app choices instead
Play Store billing choice theoretically lets developers lower their costs and pass the savings on to you, but without forcing you to sideload apps. You might pay less for a game…
