Apple’s EU payment rules are live — RevenueCat automates alternative checkout reporting

Apple’s unified EU App Store business terms took effect October 1, 2026: standard commissions are 26% Apple IAP, 20% alternative in-app checkout and 15% external-link purchase, with reduced 15%/10% rates where eligible, plus 5% Core Technology Commission for relevant alternative-distribution transactions. RevenueCat’s October 1 changelog says Stripe Billing/Paddle Billing in-app checkout is available with purchases-ios 5.89.0+ and automates Apple transaction reporting. Its same-day blog, however, says the bottom-sheet checkout is still being worked on and offers early access, so exact rollout availability needs confirmation.

Small EU app developers now have a concrete alternative-payment implementation path rather than merely a new rate table. RevenueCat says it handles StoreKit token matching and reports purchases, renewals, refunds, cancellations and unused tokens, reducing costly bespoke reporting work. But Apple commissions, processor fees, entitlements, App Review, taxes, customer support, child safety and the 12-month payment-choice commitment still apply. Conflicting vendor rollout language means teams should confirm availability before committing.

Apple’s standard EU App Store commission is 26% for IAP, 20% for alternative in-app processing and 15% for qualifying external links. Eligible small-business programmes and mature subscriptions pay reduced 15%/10% rates. Relevant digital transactions outside the App Store can incur a 5% Core Technology Commission. The old per-install Core Technology Fee is retired, not all platform fees.

The October 1 RevenueCat changelog describes an in-app Stripe Billing or Paddle Billing checkout sheet and automatic Apple reporting with purchases-ios 5.89.0+. RevenueCat’s explanation covers StoreKit eligibility, disclosure and token flows, purchases, renewals, refunds, cancellations and unused tokens, plus tax-amount normalisation. Only purchases flowing through its integrations can be reconciled automatically.

RevenueCat’s October 1 changelog presents the checkout sheet as available. Its October 1 blog instead says the bottom-sheet checkout is still in development and asks developers to sign up for early access, while Web Billing support is forthcoming. Developers should verify the current SDK and product documentation or ask RevenueCat before committing to an in-app sheet.

Apple’s 20%/10% in-app alternative-payment commission sits alongside processor fees, taxes, refunds and support. A 15%/10% external-link route may add conversion friction. RevenueCat says Apple-fee-adjusted analytics are coming soon. Model net margin and real conversion by payment path.

Apple requires alternative-payment entitlements, disclosure and token handling, eligible EU storefront and age targeting, App Review compliance and consistent payment-option choices across EU storefronts for 12 months. RevenueCat automates some implementation work but does not waive these requirements.

Confirm entitlement and storefront eligibility, purchases-ios 5.89.0+ and actual availability of the desired checkout, validate Apple-branded buttons and App Review, test token and renewal/refund reporting, and compare 12-month economics against IAP before migrating.