January 28, 2026
Tip jars vs. Apple’s 30%
Apple to Soon Take Up to 30% Cut from All Patreon Creators in iOS App
Fans dub it the 'tip jar tax' as creators weigh price hikes and workarounds
TLDR: Apple will require Patreon’s iPhone/iPad payments to use its system by Nov 1, 2026, taking up to 30% (15% after a year). Commenters blast the “Apple tax,” debate if 30% is justified, note you can pay on the web to avoid it, and ask what Epic’s lawsuit changed.
Apple just drew a line in the sand: by November 1, 2026, Patreon creators using the iPhone or iPad app must run payments through Apple’s system, handing over up to 30% (dropping to 15% after a year), per TechCrunch. Patreon says creators can either hike iOS-only prices or eat the cost. There’s a loophole: fans can pay on Patreon's website to bypass Apple’s cut. Only 4% still use legacy billing, per the report.
The comment section? On fire. One top reply calls it “Sad, mean, and pointless,” while another blasts Apple for being “nearly 3x” more expensive than Patreon itself, reviving the “Apple tax” meme. Some argue 30% was fair when the App Store launched, but say expanding it to fan tips and subscriptions is “far beyond the pale.” Confusion flares too: people ask if the Epic lawsuit changed this, others point out you can still subscribe on the web and dodge the fee. Jokes fly about a “tip jar tax,” “30% for a button,” and Apple playing sheriff in iOS town. Meanwhile, creators debate whether to raise iPhone prices or quietly swallow the fee, bracing for angry DMs either way. It’s not just policy—it’s a vibe, and it’s spicy.
Key Points
- •Apple set a November 1, 2026 deadline for Patreon’s iOS app to use App Store in‑app purchases.
- •Apple treats Patreon supporter payments as digital goods and applies its commission.
- •Apple’s commission is 30% on IAP/subscriptions, dropping to 15% after a subscription’s first year.
- •Patreon allows creators to either raise iOS‑only prices or absorb the fee to keep pricing uniform.
- •Supporters can avoid Apple’s commission by paying via Patreon's website; only 4% remain on legacy billing.