Apple App Store typically charges a commission of 15-30 percent from subscription payments made through its platform. Many companies, instead of bearing this additional cost themselves, pass the price directly to users. This situation is unofficially called the "Apple tax" in the technology world.
Modern.az reports that one of the most striking examples of this is YouTube Premium. Currently, in the US, users pay $16 per month for an individual "Premium" subscription through YouTube's official website, while users who subscribe to the same service through the App Store pay $21 per month. This means iPhone users spend an additional $5 every month just because of Apple's commission.
Some users prefer to manage their subscriptions through the "App Store" because canceling a subscription in the "Apple" ecosystem is easier and can be done with a few taps. In many other services, canceling a subscription can become a more complex process, requiring additional confirmations or inquiries from users.
However, for users who want to pay a lower price, the most cost-effective option is to subscribe to YouTube Premium directly through YouTube's official website. In this case, the Apple commission is not applied, and the user gets the same service at a cheaper price.
