Skip to main content

iOS App Store Pricing

Panels is available both on the web at panels.store and inside the Panels iOS app. When a reader purchases a comic through the iOS app, Apple requires a 30% fee on every transaction — this is Apple's standard App Store commission and applies to all apps that sell digital content.

This page explains how that affects your earnings and what you can do about it.

How Web Sales Work Today​

When someone buys your comic on panels.store, here's how the money flows:

You set price:     $10.00
Operative costs:   +$0.40  (transaction fees, storage, distribution)
Buyer pays:        $10.40

From your set price ($10.00):
  ├─ Platform fee (20%):  -$2.00  → Panels
  └─ You receive (80%):   $8.00

The $0.40 operative costs are added on top of your price and go entirely to covering infrastructure — not to Panels.

What Changes on iOS​

When a purchase happens inside the Panels iOS app, Apple takes 30% of the full amount the buyer pays — before anything else is calculated.

If your price stays the same on iOS ($10.40):

Buyer pays:              $10.40
Apple takes (30%):       -$3.12
Remaining:                $7.28
  ├─ Operative costs:    -$0.40
  └─ Subtotal:            $6.88
     ├─ Platform fee (20%): -$1.38  → Panels
     └─ You receive (80%):   $5.50   ← vs $8.00 on web

That's a significant reduction in what you earn per sale. To address this, Panels gives you a choice.

Your Two Options​

Option A — Increase iOS price to protect your earnings (recommended)​

Panels automatically calculates a higher iOS price so that after Apple's 30% cut, you receive approximately the same amount as from a web sale.

The formula: the full buyer price (your set price + $0.40) is multiplied by ~1.4286 (÷ 0.70) to offset Apple's commission.

Web buyer pays:          $10.40
iOS buyer pays:          $14.86  (= $10.40 ÷ 0.70, rounded)
Apple takes (30%):       -$4.46
Remaining:               $10.40
  ├─ Operative costs:    -$0.40
  └─ Subtotal:           $10.00  (≈ your original set price)
     ├─ Platform fee (20%): -$2.00  → Panels
     └─ You receive (80%):   $8.00  ✓ same as web

The iOS price is calculated automatically — you don't need to manage two separate prices. Readers in the app see the adjusted price at checkout.

Option B — Keep the same price on iOS​

Your comic shows the same total price on iOS as on the web. Readers pay the same amount regardless of where they buy. However, because Apple takes their 30% first, your earnings per iOS sale are lower.

Web sale:   $10.40 → you receive $8.00
iOS sale:   $10.40 → you receive $5.50

This option makes sense if price consistency across platforms matters more to you than revenue parity.

Comparison Table​

Option A (raise iOS price)Option B (keep same price)
Web buyer pays$10.40$10.40
iOS buyer pays~$14.86$10.40
You earn per web sale$8.00$8.00
You earn per iOS sale~$8.00$5.50
Price consistencyNoYes
Revenue consistencyYesNo

Example based on $10.00 set price with $0.40 operative costs and 20% platform fee.

How to Set Your Preference​

You can set this preference during onboarding when you create your store, or at any time in your store settings. Look for "Increase prices for iOS".

Frequently Asked Questions​

Does this affect web prices?​

No. Your set price on the web never changes. Only the iOS in-app price is affected.

Do I need to update my prices manually?​

No. When you enable this option, Panels automatically computes the correct iOS price for every comic in your store.

What if I change my mind later?​

You can toggle this setting at any time from your store settings. Changes apply immediately.

Why does Apple charge 30%?​

This is Apple's standard App Store commission, required for all apps that sell digital goods on iOS. It applies to every digital commerce app — not just Panels. For more context, see Apple's App Store pricing guidelines.

Is the $0.40 operative cost the same on iOS?​

Yes. The $0.40 operative cost applies on all platforms. It covers the same infrastructure costs regardless of where the purchase happens.