Developers can now facilitate in-app purchases outside Apple’s traditional system using a new partnership between Paddle and RevenueCat, offering a simplified process amidst evolving App Store regulations.
Analysis of Alternative In-App Purchase System Supporting Apple Pay Post-Apple’s App Store Regulations
Overview of the New Payment System
The recent announcement reports that two payment companies—Paddle and RevenueCat—have collaborated to introduce an alternative method for developers to facilitate in-app purchases outside of Apple’s traditional App Store mechanisms. The system is designed to operate seamlessly across iOS and web platforms, allowing consumers to make purchases via Apple Pay through a simplified process that involves redirecting to a prefilled web form and completing payment with a tap.
Developers benefit from reduced fees, paying approximately 10% on transactions below $10 and 5% plus $0.50 on larger transactions. The firm claims that this approach offers a user experience comparable to Apple’s native system, despite not relying on Apple’s in-app purchase infrastructure.
Contextual Background and Regulatory Changes
This development appears to be a response to regulatory and legal shifts, notably the Epic Games court rulings. Since these rulings, Apple is mandated to permit external payment options without charging its standard commissions, though the transition remains complex for developers. Previously, Paddle announced its own in-app payment platform in 2021, aiming to capitalise on anticipated changes following the Epic case (1).
According to the report, the integration with RevenueCat aims to mitigate the operational complexities that developers face, including handling taxes, compliance, and supporting subscriptions across multiple platforms—iOS, Android, and web. This integration promises a streamlined experience, potentially reducing the friction associated with implementing independent payment systems (1, 3, 4).
Verification and Support Details
The process entails three steps: presenting the purchase options within the app, redirecting users to a web form in Safari, and completing payment via Apple Pay. Upon completion, users are returned to the app with their subscription or purchase unlocked. RevenueCat provides an analytics dashboard for monitoring performance, while Paddle manages the backend payment, tax, and compliance services (1).
The offering is characterised as more costly than developers establishing their own payment infrastructure using existing providers; however, it emphasises ease of use and a “slick” user experience, especially for transactions exceeding $10 (1).
Implications for Developers and Users
This approach could significantly impact how developers implement monetisation strategies on iOS, especially in the wake of regulatory pressures. While the system may not offer the lowest cost option, its convenience could be attractive for small businesses and larger developers seeking straightforward compliance solutions.
However, this alternative system is still relatively new, and its adoption may be influenced by further legal developments or Apple’s potential responses. It remains to be seen whether Apple will accommodate such external options without further restrictions or restrictions on user experience.
Alternative Perspectives and Potential Challenges
Some analysts suggest that, despite the technical workaround, the cost differential may limit widespread adoption. The need to redirect users outside the app could be viewed as a less seamless experience compared to native Apple Pay or in-app purchase options (6). Additionally, there are broader concerns about user security and trust when leaving the secure Apple environment, although the direct Apple Pay flow may mitigate this issue.
Furthermore, there is ongoing debate regarding the extent to which Apple might enforce regulations against external payment systems or introduce barriers that diminish their utility (5, 7). Some sources indicate that Apple’s anti-steering policies and efforts to keep developers within its ecosystem could evolve, potentially affecting the viability of such alternative systems.
Conclusion
This collaborative initiative by Paddle and RevenueCat signifies a strategic response by developers and payment providers to recent regulatory and legal changes, providing a potentially smoother and more cost-effective alternative to Apple’s traditional in-app purchase system. While promising, its success and broader adoption will likely depend on ongoing legal, regulatory, and platform developments, as well as user acceptance of the redirected payment process.
References
- The initial announcement from 9to5Mac detailing the collaboration and process.
2-7. Supporting sources providing background on payment integrations, legal context, and industry perspectives.
- https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/04/alternative-in-app-purchase-system-supports-apple-pay-for-smooth-process/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://developer.paddle.com/changelog/2023/recurring-apple-pay-google-pay – Paddle has introduced support for recurring transactions using Apple Pay and Google Pay, enabling customers to pay for subscriptions with these digital wallets. This update requires no engineering effort from developers, as it integrates seamlessly into Paddle’s existing payment system. The addition of Apple Pay and Google Pay aims to provide a quicker and more secure payment experience for customers, leveraging biometric authentication to reduce fraud and chargebacks. Developers can enable these payment options through the Paddle dashboard without needing to sign up for separate developer accounts with Apple or Google.
- https://www.revenuecat.com/integrations/revenuecat-paddle/ – RevenueCat and Paddle have partnered to offer a cross-platform subscription solution that simplifies the expansion of web-based subscription businesses to mobile platforms. This integration addresses challenges such as identity and entitlement mapping, global tax and compliance complexities, and the need for extensive infrastructure. RevenueCat provides a backend service that verifies and validates receipts across Paddle and in-app purchases, ensuring consistent subscription status updates. Paddle handles payments, tax, and compliance on the web, allowing developers to focus on delivering quality app experiences while managing the complexities of cross-platform subscriptions.
- https://www.paddle.com/revenuecat-integration-beta – Paddle and RevenueCat have launched a beta integration aimed at unifying subscription data across web and mobile platforms. This integration allows developers to verify and validate receipts across web and mobile, ensuring a continuously updated subscription status. The RevenueCat dashboard serves as a single source of truth for subscription data across iOS, Android, and the web. The integration offers unified subscription analytics, better insights for smarter growth, and a no-code setup, enabling developers to get started in minutes without heavy lifting. Paddle acts as the Merchant of Record, handling global taxes, chargebacks, and dunning, so developers can focus on growth.
- https://www.paddle.com/blog/apple-vs-epic-app-store-changes – The article discusses the significant changes in the mobile app space following the U.S. District Judge’s ruling on April 30, 2025, which found that Apple violated a previous injunction by restricting developers from informing users about alternative payment options. As a result, Apple updated its App Store Guidelines to allow apps in the U.S. to include external payment links without charging its own commissions. This ruling opens up new opportunities for app developers to retain more revenue, enhance cash flow, and implement flexible pricing strategies, marking a fundamental shift in the App Store ecosystem.
- https://www.revenuecat.com/blog/growth/apple-anti-steering-ruling-monetization-strategy/ – This article analyses the implications of the court ruling that requires Apple to allow external payment links in iOS apps. It highlights the opportunities for app developers to retain more revenue by avoiding Apple’s 30% commission, implement flexible pricing strategies, and establish direct customer relationships. The article also discusses the potential challenges and considerations for developers in adapting to the new guidelines, emphasizing the importance of understanding the ruling’s impact on app monetization strategies.
- https://openforge.io/apple-app-store-external-payment-rule-2025/ – The article reports on Apple’s update to its App Store guidelines, allowing iOS apps to include external payment links without charging its own commission. This change follows a court ruling that found Apple violated a previous injunction by restricting developers from informing users about alternative payment methods. The update enables apps to redirect users to web-based payment flows, exempting these external purchases from Apple’s standard 30% commission. The article discusses the potential benefits for developers, including increased revenue retention and pricing flexibility, as well as the broader implications for the App Store ecosystem.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents a recent development involving Paddle and RevenueCat’s collaboration to offer an alternative in-app purchase system supporting Apple Pay. This initiative appears to be a response to Apple’s App Store regulations and follows the Epic Games court rulings. The earliest known publication date of similar content is June 4, 2025, indicating the information is current. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the integration of older material with updated data may affect the overall freshness. Additionally, the narrative has been republished across various platforms, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks, which may impact its credibility. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes attributed to sources such as 9to5Mac and The Verge. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from June 4, 2025. Identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potential reuse of content. The wording of the quotes varies slightly across different publications, which may suggest paraphrasing or selective quoting. No online matches were found for some of the quotes, raising the possibility of original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from 9to5Mac, a reputable technology news outlet. However, the report has been republished across various platforms, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks, which may impact its credibility. The integration of older material with updated data may affect the overall reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents a plausible development involving Paddle and RevenueCat’s collaboration to offer an alternative in-app purchase system supporting Apple Pay. The report includes specific details about the process, fees, and potential impact on developers and users. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the presence of recycled content raise questions about the originality and credibility of the information. The tone and language used in the report are consistent with typical corporate or official language, suggesting a degree of professionalism.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a recent development involving Paddle and RevenueCat’s collaboration to offer an alternative in-app purchase system supporting Apple Pay. While the information is current and plausible, the presence of recycled content, potential reuse of quotes, and republishing across various platforms, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks, raise concerns about the originality and credibility of the source. The integration of older material with updated data may affect the overall freshness and reliability of the information. Further verification from additional reputable sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy and authenticity of the claims.
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