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Survey: 22.68% of OS X developers distribute their software via the Mac App Store only

The MacPaw team has conducted a survey of 670 Mac OS X developers, to learn their preferences on app distribution channels, revenue channels, tools they prefer to use, challenges they face, etc. 

When asked how they distribute their Mac apps, 22.68% said via the Mac App Store only, 34.90% said outside the Mac App Store only, and 42.42% used both methods. When asked where they got more revenue from, 52% said the Mac App Store, while 48% said outside the MAS.

When asked if they thought sharing 30% of revenue with Apple is worth the advantages of the MAS, 62.31% of developers said “no,” while 37.69% said “yes.”

About a third of the developers the Mac Dev team asked run their own business. More than 20% of them have tried the MAS, but left. The reasons for leaving:

  • Licensing limitations: 4%;
  • API restrictions: 4%;
  • Sandboxing: 6%;
  • No app bundles: 8%;
  • No analytics: 13%;
  • No pricing upgrades: 27%;
  • No ability to respond to clients’ reviews: 34%;
  • No demos/trials: 41%;
  • 30% revenue share with Apple: 52%;
  • Long and unclear app review process: 53%.

You can find more details about the survey results here. Mac Paw is a developer of Mac software. Their products include CleanMyMac, Gemini, CleanMyDrive, DevMate, and more.


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Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.