Microsoft Store drops fees for individual developers — Apple still charges $99 per year

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Starting this week, independent software creators have the freedom to upload applications to the Microsoft Store free of charge, as confirmed by Microsoft in their latest blog post for developers on Windows. This update also eliminates the requirement for a credit card when publishing apps within the Microsoft Store.

Previously, Microsoft levied a one-time cost of $19 for individual developers, making it less expensive compared to other major tech companies such as Google (charging $25 at once) and Apple ($99 annually).

Microsoft unveiled its plan to eliminate fees for individual developers, effective immediately in more than 200 global markets, during Build 2025.

In simpler terms, “Removing the registration fees for individual developers goes beyond a mere technical move; it’s a gesture of respect towards those innovators working from the margins with limited resources yet brimming with potent ideas.” Freddy Castillo, an independent developer, expressed his gratitude for this change, not just for himself, but also for an entire community that can now freely express their dreams aloud.

According to Microsoft’s latest blog post, their Microsoft Store boasts an impressive user base of over 250 million people who actively use it each month. Furthermore, in discussions led by Microsoft’s Chetna Das, the elimination of the credit card requirement was emphasized as a move that makes the store more accessible to a wider range of developers.

Starting now, developers won’t have to provide a credit card to begin working on our platform. This change eliminates a significant hurdle that has impacted numerous creators globally. By doing away with initial fees, we aim to make our platform more inviting and accessible, fostering an environment where more developers can innovate, share, and prosper within the Windows ecosystem.

To sign up, head over to Microsoft’s developer page on their store. Once there, click on “Get Started” and choose your preferred account type, keeping in mind that company accounts will initially cost you $99. To finalize the process, make sure you have a Microsoft account, ready with your ID and a selfie for identity verification, as well as details to share with Microsoft.

Microsoft Store improvements

Initially, the Microsoft Store debuted in conjunction with Windows 8 back in 2012, originally known as the “Windows Store.” Unfortunately, its initial reception was far from positive due to several reasons. Firstly, it struggled to attract major applications. Secondly, its performance did not meet expectations. Lastly, it imposed strict limitations on the types of apps that could be made available for publication.

Over time, Microsoft has continuously made efforts to enhance their platform, most notably changing it to the “Microsoft Store” in 2021. Furthermore, this tech leader took steps to simplify the development process, which allowed traditional desktop applications to be featured within the store.

The Microsoft Store now supports publishing Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, or Electron apps.

The Microsoft Store has become an increasingly attractive platform for app publishing due to several enhancements. For instance, developers now have the freedom to host their applications on personal servers. Over time, the performance of the Microsoft Store has significantly improved.

Dropping the registration charges for independent creators isn’t merely a matter of technology; it’s an expression of acknowledgment and appreciation towards those who innovate from the outskirts or margins.

Freddy Castillo, Independent developer

Currently, the Microsoft Store offers popular applications such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify. Emerging platforms like ChatGPT are also available. Notably, some top-tier tools for advanced users can be obtained from the Microsoft Store as well.

Regrettably, it took Microsoft over a decade to bring their store up to par, which leaves me concerned that they might have squandered the opportunity to win users over. It seems likely that many people will continue to bypass the Microsoft Store for discovering and downloading applications.

The Microsoft Store, despite initial impressions, is an increasingly valuable resource that keeps evolving. Our esteemed Senior Editor, Zac Bowden, even went as far as to label the Microsoft Store as an essential app marketplace, encouraging users to give it a shot.

Without an individual developer registration fee, it’s likely that we could witness a new surge of applications appearing in the Microsoft Store.

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2025-09-11 16:13