• by Colin Kirkland , 8 hours ago

Spotify says it is already seeing a boost in its profits in response to Apple’s recent decision to allow the streaming app to sell subscriptions outside of Apple’s App Store in the U.S. 

At the end of April, a U.S. judge ordered Apple to stop enforcing commission charges -- otherwise known as an “Apple tax” -- made on iOS app purchases.

The decision came at the end of a long legal battle between Apple and Fortnite Epic Games, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruling that Apple was in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction regarding anti-competitive pricing. 

Spotify has benefited from this decision, which effectively allows the company Apple’s 30% App Store fee. 

“After nearly a decade, this will finally allow us to freely show clear pricing information and links to purchase, fostering transparency and choice for U.S. consumers,” Spotify spokesperson Jeanne Moran said in a statement.

The company says it has already submitted a Spotify app update to Apple, which includes features it is now legally allowed to bring to American users, including showing customers pricing details on subscriptions and promotions that will save money; the ability to click an in-app link to purchase a subscription; and most notably, inviting users to make payments through third-party services beyond Apple’s payment system. 

Spotify says the changes will make for more seamless buying opportunities that could benefit creators, who can now direct customers to discounted billing options. 

One of the most blatant examples of how this change has positively affected Spotify is highlighted by a “substantial” increase in audiobook sales after the platform began allowing users to purchase audiobooks directly in the app. 

In a newly filed amicus brief supporting Epic Games, Spotify shows that third-party payments have already had “a significant increase in iOS users upgrading to a Premium subscription.”

“The 2025 Order has created substantial benefits for developers and — more importantly — consumers,” the filing states. “Spotify’s internal data show that its iOS app updates have already resulted in a significant increase in iOS users upgrading to a Premium subscription. Apple’s compliance has also enabled new product innovations that would not have been possible without the Injunction.”