Overview
- Effective immediately, individual developers in nearly 200 countries can enroll with a personal Microsoft account without a credit card and publish apps at no cost.
- For MSIX-packaged apps, Microsoft will host binaries, cover distribution, sign apps for free, and deliver automatic updates through Windows.
- Non-gaming app makers may use their own in-app payment systems and keep 100% of revenue.
- Publishing now requires identity verification using a government-issued ID scan and a selfie.
- Microsoft cites over 250 million monthly active users for the Store, and its policy contrasts with Apple’s $99 annual fee and Google’s $25 one-time registration.