Microsoft just removed all publishing fees for its Windows Store, letting developers in nearly 200 countries publish apps with just a personal account - no credit card required. The move eliminates the $19 barrier that previously blocked many global creators while Apple still charges $99 annually and Google takes $25 upfront, potentially reshaping how millions of developers choose their platforms.
Microsoft just pulled the rug out from under its biggest competitors. The company quietly eliminated all Windows Store publishing fees this week, going from a $19 barrier to completely free registration for individual developers across nearly 200 countries. You don't even need a credit card anymore - just a personal Microsoft account.
The timing couldn't be more strategic. While Apple continues charging developers $99 every single year and Google takes a $25 upfront fee, Microsoft is now the only major platform offering completely free entry. That's a massive shift in platform economics that could redirect thousands of developers away from iOS and Android.
"Developers will no longer need a credit card to get started, removing a key point of friction that has affected many creators around the world," Chetna Das, senior product manager at Microsoft, told The Verge. "By eliminating these one-time fees, Microsoft is creating a more inclusive and accessible platform."
The move isn't happening in isolation. Microsoft started testing this approach back in June in select markets, quietly gauging developer response before going global. The results apparently convinced them to go all-in on free access.
What makes this particularly aggressive is Microsoft's revenue model. Unlike Apple and Google, which take hefty cuts from app sales and in-app purchases, Microsoft lets developers use their own commerce systems and keep 100% of revenues on non-gaming apps. It's essentially paying developers to choose Windows over competing platforms.
The numbers back up Microsoft's confidence. The Microsoft Store now sees over 250 million monthly active users, according to internal company data. That's a massive potential audience that developers can now access without any upfront investment. For indie developers and startups watching every dollar, the math is pretty simple.
Microsoft's been steadily rebuilding its app ecosystem after years of neglect. The company added last year and launched an that actually works. The store now supports Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET, MAUI, and Electron apps - basically everything developers want to publish.
