Home page/ Blog / Choosing a store to host applications in 2024 and methods of paying for licenses

Choosing a store to host applications in 2024 and methods of paying for licenses

17.05.2024

To monetize mobile applications, you need to decide on the store where you will publish it. There are quite a lot of options – you can create an Apple Developer account, register in Google Play or AppGallery, or in the Russian-language analogue of the platform for Android gadgets RuStore. Each has advantages and disadvantages, which we will talk about right now. Let us separately touch upon the terms of payment, since some platforms set restrictions for programmers from the Russian Federation.

If you don’t want to deal with registration and subscription yourself, there is always the option of purchasing a ready-made profile on the Nova.Shop website. An account with a subscription can be used immediately and without additional checks, which is convenient for both beginners and professionals.

Registration in the Apple Developer program and publication of software in the App Store

The Apple brand launched its own store in 2008, and now residents of 155 countries download utilities from there. The operating system has a closed format, that is, gadget owners can only use the official store.

If you want to create applications for Apple, you will need to publish it in the app store, having first received the Developer status.

Among the advantages of the store:

about 160 billion downloads per year, which increases opportunities for generating income;
a huge community of developers and constant exchange of opinions;
fast and competent technical support, albeit in English;
high level of security and motivation to improve the quality of software due to strict moderation.

An obvious disadvantage that the owner of an Apple Developer account needs to be prepared for is the cost of the subscription – the minimum you will have to pay is $99 annually. If this is not done, then all the utilities placed there will be lost, and accordingly, there will be no source of income. In this case, the acquisition commission is 30%.

When using an Apple enterprise account, the license cost is even higher – $299. You will also always have to adapt to increasingly stringent software requirements – any mistake increases the risk of unsuccessful moderation. Finally, after publication, it is necessary to carry out updates at least once every 3 years so that the development does not disappear from the store.

Details on how to create and pay for a Developer Apple account

Creating a profile requires having a unique identifier, filling out a registration form on the website, paying and receiving an activation code by email. For financial calculations you can use:

MTS and Beeline mobile account (if you are already a license holder and want to continue working as an app Developer);
a card of a foreign bank from where online payments will be made via VPN;
service for selling paid accounts.

Pros and cons of posting software on Google Play

If you don’t want to create a Developer Apple account, and developing applications for the Android OS seems more attractive, then you should choose Google Play. The store pleases:

loyal approach to moderation;
commission of 15%;
solid coverage – about 145 billion downloads;
affordable license cost – paid once in the amount of $26, including commission.

Serious disadvantages include:

the need to use a VPN to access the control panel;
the risk of unreasonably deleting software after 3-4 updates;
Difficulties in communication with technical support.

Features of creating a profile and paying for a subscription

Developers, unlike those who create an account on the Developer Apple platform, do not have any particular difficulties with registration. Just click on the Play Console, go to the developer’s page, fill out a simple form and deposit $25 using a foreign bank card. An additional condition is synchronization of the card and the user abroad by IP address. That is, in any case, you will have to create a virtual payment instrument in a foreign bank – this is done online using a VPN.

Review of the Russian-language store RuStore

In situations where the utility does not meet the requirements of Google Play on some points, RuStore comes to the rescue. It only works for a short time and cannot boast of wide coverage (which is not surprising, given the presence of only a beta version), but it is free, has built-in analytics for digital products and is actively being improved in terms of functionality.

The store is mainly used to host banking and other financial applications, which indicates a narrow specialization; moreover, there is no rating, so you cannot count on getting to the TOP. As for registration, it is carried out after selecting the type of user (individual or company) and authorization using VK ID.

AppGallery – a store for software developers for Huawei devices

This store is installed automatically in phones of the Huawei and Honor brands. In the 6 years since its launch, it has gained enormous popularity in Asia – 384 billion downloads are recorded here per year. Developers are attracted by the free format of use, the fast pace of distribution, the presence of an integrated approach to optimization, a commission of 10% and the prospect of quick adaptation to the requirements of a utility made for the Android OS. On the other hand, the store does not support Google Drive and other Google services, and difficulties often arise with paying for a license from the territory of the Russian Federation.