Why Are App Subscription Prices Higher on iPhone Than Android?

By Huma Ishfaq ⏐ 11 months ago ⏐

3 min read

The varying costs of app subscriptions between iPhones and Android smartphones have sparked widespread discussion in the mobile app world. Users often wonder why the same app might cost differently on these two platforms. By examining popular app subscriptions on both iOS and Android, some intriguing patterns and surprises emerge, shedding light on this pricing disparity.

Platform Fees and Pricing Disparity

The primary reason for the price difference in-app subscriptions between iPhone and Android lies in Apple’s platform fees:

Apple’s Fees: Apple charges a platform fee ranging from 15% to 30% on in-app purchases made through the App Store. This fee contributes to higher subscription costs on iOS.
Android’s Advantage: Android, particularly for Google-developed services, often lacks this “platform tax,” making subscriptions generally more affordable.

Examples of Price Differences

YouTube Premium subscription costs differ between Android and iOS, with Android users paying Rs 480 per month, while iOS users are charged Rs 649 per month. This price difference is primarily due to the platform fees Apple imposes on in-app purchases. Similarly, Google One is more economical on Android because it does not include Apple’s platform fee, making cloud storage services more affordable for Android users compared to those using iOS devices.

Meta Verified, a popular service, demonstrates a distinct pricing strategy between Android and iOS platforms. On Android, the subscription costs Rs 2,057 per month, with a discounted rate of Rs 1,864 for the first month. In contrast, iOS users pay Rs 2,057 per month without any first-month discount.

Similarly, X Premium+ (formerly Twitter) also shows a price disparity between the two platforms. Android users are charged Rs 6,922 per month, whereas iOS users face a higher cost of Rs 7,402 per month. These differences highlight the impact of platform fees on subscription pricing.

Consistent Pricing Across Platforms

Some services maintain uniform pricing regardless of the platform:

Truecaller: Rs 318 per month or Rs 2894 per year on both Android and iOS.
Apple’s Services: Apple Music and Apple TV+ have consistent prices on both devices.
LinkedIn Premium: Slight price difference: Rs 10,867 on iOS vs. Rs 6,800 on Android.

Desktop vs. Mobile Subscriptions

Interestingly, desktop or web-based subscriptions can sometimes be cheaper than mobile subscriptions. This is because desktop subscriptions typically avoid the platform fees imposed on mobile transactions.

In conclusion, the variation in-app subscription costs between iPhone and Android is primarily due to the differing platform fees, with Apple’s higher fees leading to more expensive subscriptions on iOS. This pricing strategy impacts user decisions and offers a deeper understanding of the app experience across different devices.