Google will reduce its Play Store service fees to 10% for the first $1 million in annual developer revenue, following a court loss against Epic Games. According to a June 2026 update from Google, the company is also opening its platform to third-party billing systems. These changes begin rolling out in the US, UK, and European Economic Area on June 30, with a global rollout for billing flexibility scheduled for completion by September 30, 2027.
How do the new Google Play Store fee structures work?
Google is shifting its revenue model by lowering the barrier to entry for smaller developers. For developers earning under $1 million annually, the base service fee drops to 10%. If a developer chooses to utilize Google’s integrated billing system, a 5% “billing fee” is applied on top of that, according to GSMarena. This adjustment follows years of legal pressure from Epic Games, which challenged the mandatory use of Google’s proprietary payment systems.
What does the shift to third-party billing mean for developers?
The most significant change for the broader ecosystem is the mandated support for alternative billing methods. Google confirmed that developers can now integrate payment processors outside of the Google Play Billing system. This transition is region-dependent: the US, UK, and EEA gain access on June 30, followed by Australia on September 30, and Japan and Korea on December 31. The rest of the world will see this feature enabled by September 30, 2027, as noted in the official Google developer blog.
Why the Epic Games litigation matters
This policy pivot serves as a direct response to the legal precedent set by the Epic Games vs. Google antitrust case. While previously Google mandated a 30% cut for most transactions, the court ruling has forced a structural change that mirrors shifts in the broader mobile app economy. By allowing third-party billing, Google is effectively decoupling app distribution from payment processing, a move that regulators in the EU and US have long advocated for to increase market competition.
Comparison of Google Play Fee Tiers
| Revenue Tier | Service Fee |
|---|---|
| First $1 Million | 10% |
| Above $1 Million | Standard rates apply |
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I use third-party billing in the US?
Third-party billing support for digital services and content becomes available in the United States on June 30.
Does the 10% fee apply to all revenue?
No, the 10% rate applies only to the first $1 million in annual revenue for eligible developers.
When will these changes reach the rest of the world?
Google has scheduled the global rollout of third-party billing options for completion by September 30, 2027.
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