Microsoft announced Monday that it will eliminate developer onboarding fees for the Microsoft Store on Windows, allowing individual developers to publish apps for free starting in June 2025.

The announcement was made during the company’s annual Build 2025 developer conference. Previously, developers were required to pay a registration fee of around \$19 to list their apps on the platform.

The move positions Microsoft as more developer-friendly at a time when rivals Apple and Google face growing scrutiny over the costs they impose on app creators. Apple, in particular, has come under legal pressure over its App Store fees, including a \$99 annual charge and commission-based revenue sharing. Google, by comparison, charges developers a one-time \$25 registration fee for access to Google Play.

While Microsoft will drop its sign-up fee, the company clarified that it will still collect commission fees from developers who use its commerce platform: 12% for games and 15% for apps. However, developers who opt to use their own payment systems will retain 100% of their revenue for non-gaming apps.

The policy change could help attract more independent developers to the Microsoft Store, which has long trailed Apple’s App Store and Google Play in terms of app volume and developer engagement.