> So the "free rider" claim was even more misleading
The Apple Developer Program is $99. Note that this is not just for the App Store but also for distribution on the Mac outside the App Store, as well as access to other developer resources.
I didn't mention it because it's a drop in the bucket, totally negligible compared to the billions of dollars per year in App Store commissions that Apple collects from developers. If $99 were the only fee, then hardly any developers would complain, except perhaps hobbyists. For professional developers, and for Apple's overall revenue, $99 is practically nothing.
The Apple Developer Program is $99. Note that this is not just for the App Store but also for distribution on the Mac outside the App Store, as well as access to other developer resources.
I didn't mention it because it's a drop in the bucket, totally negligible compared to the billions of dollars per year in App Store commissions that Apple collects from developers. If $99 were the only fee, then hardly any developers would complain, except perhaps hobbyists. For professional developers, and for Apple's overall revenue, $99 is practically nothing.