Core Technology Commission

Also called CTC, Core Technology Fee, CTF

Apple's 5% commission on digital sales in EU apps distributed outside the App Store, which since 1 October 2026 has fully replaced the per-install Core Technology Fee.

The Core Technology Commission is what Apple charges for iOS itself when an EU app is distributed outside the App Store, through an alternative marketplace or the web. Apple describes it as “a simple 5% commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store” (Apple).

It replaces the Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per first annual install above one million. For a free-to-play game where most players never pay, a charge on every install weighed more heavily than a share of sales does. Since 1 October 2026 the commission has also covered linked web sales made within 7 days of a link tap in those apps.

App Store apps pay a different set of rates under Apple’s unified EU terms: 26% for Apple’s in-app purchase, 20% for alternative payment processing and 15% for linked web sales, or 15%, 10% and 10% on reduced terms (Apple). Apple applies the same 5% commission outside the App Store in Japan and Brazil. See Apple’s EU rules.