Microsoft has allowed developers to publish apps to the Microsoft Store on Windows without any one-time fees and even without a credit card.
Previously, developers had to pay $19 to gain access to publish apps in the store. Now, this requirement has been removed for all but 200 countries, and all you need is a personal Microsoft account.
The company explains that the removal of fees removes one of the key barriers that has hindered new creators from entering the platform. This, Microsoft believes, will make the ecosystem more inclusive and open to independent developers.
In comparison, Apple continues to charge $99 per year, and Google charges $25 for registration. Microsoft also offers developers the option to use its own billing systems for non-game apps, allowing them to keep 100% of the revenue.
In recent years, the company has revamped the Windows Store, adding support for third-party installers, revamping the web version, and improving the download experience. According to Microsoft, the store has more than 250 million monthly active users.
The Windows Store supports publishing Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET, MAUI, and Electron apps. Opening the store to more developers should broaden the range and increase the activity of the Windows ecosystem.