Patreon Announces Price Increase for iOS App Subscriptions, Leaving Creators with a Choice

Patreon Announces Price Increase for iOS App Subscriptions, Leaving Creators with a ChoicePaid creation community Patreon announced today a significant change to its iOS app, with new subscriptions experiencing a price increase. This change stems from Apple's enforcement of App Store regulations, requiring all new membership subscriptions to be processed through in-app purchases, leading to a 30% commission for the platform to Apple

Patreon Announces Price Increase for iOS App Subscriptions, Leaving Creators with a Choice

Paid creation community Patreon announced today a significant change to its iOS app, with new subscriptions experiencing a price increase. This change stems from Apple's enforcement of App Store regulations, requiring all new membership subscriptions to be processed through in-app purchases, leading to a 30% commission for the platform to Apple.

Patreon has already been utilizing in-app purchases since January, paying the 30% fee on digital products to Apple. However, previous membership subscriptions bypassed Apple's in-app purchase system. This change means that from November onwards, all new membership subscriptions purchased through iPhones or iPads will face a price increase.

To address this added cost, Patreon provides creators with two options:

• Increase subscription prices within the iOS app only: This means iOS users will pay higher subscription fees, while prices remain unchanged for other platforms.

• Creators absorb the cost: Creators can choose to absorb the 30% fee themselves, maintaining consistent prices across platforms.

Patreon states that it will automatically increase subscription prices on the iOS platform by default and recommends creators adopt this approach. However, the platform respects creator autonomy and permits them to opt for maintaining original prices, deducting the 30% fee from their own earnings.

Importantly, this change only affects new members subscribing through iPhones or iPads after November. Existing subscribers remain unaffected.

This change may spark user dissatisfaction, as Apple's 30% commission surpasses the share Patreon takes from creators. Patreon extracts 8% to 12% from paid membership subscriptions, plus payment processing fees, and 5% from digital product sales.

To mitigate user discontent, Patreon encourages creators to guide fans to a platform help center article explaining the fee discrepancies across platforms.

Furthermore, due to the App Store's in-app purchase system's limitations in supporting flexible payment methods like pay-per-view or fixed monthly date payments, Patreon will transition all creators to a subscription model, projected to be completed by November 2025.

This change also reflects Apple's growing control over digital products, as previously seen with its demand for Facebook to pay in-app purchase fees for ad purchases within the iOS environment.

As a platform providing a space for content creators, Patreon's operations are subject to Apple's App Store regulations. Patreon has chosen to comply with Apple's rules and implement measures to address the new fee policy. However, this change may impact creators and users, requiring further observation of its subsequent development.

Here are some key points about this change:

• Starting November 2024, all new membership subscriptions purchased through the iOS app will be processed via App Store in-app purchases.

• The platform will be required to pay a 30% commission to Apple.

• Creators can choose to raise iOS subscription prices or absorb the 30% fee themselves.

• Existing subscribers are not affected.

• Patreon will transition all creators to a subscription model, expected to be completed by November 2025.

Summary:

Patreon announced a subscription price increase for its iOS app, a change driven by Apple's enforced App Store regulations. While Patreon will automatically raise iOS subscription prices by default, creators have the option to independently bear the cost, maintaining price consistency across platforms. This change may impact creators and users, requiring further monitoring of its unfolding consequences.