Apple’s App Store takes a 15‑30 percent cut of every recurring subscription, a fee developers often recoup by raising the price for users who buy through the store. The practice, dubbed the “Apple tax,” means a service that costs $10 on a company’s website might appear as $13 on the App Store.
YouTube Premium illustrates the impact. Google lists the individual plan at $16 per month on its own site, but the same plan shows up at $21 when purchased via the App Store – a $5 difference that directly reflects Apple’s commission. The higher price doesn’t bring extra features; it simply covers Apple’s share of the revenue.
While the App Store’s subscription manager can be convenient, the added cost outweighs the benefit for most users. Google lets subscribers cancel directly on its platform with minimal friction, making the website route the cheaper and simpler option. If you’re paying for YouTube Premium through Apple, switching to the direct Google signup will save you $5 each month.
