Microsoft has made it free for individual developers to register and publish apps on the Microsoft Store, with the new experience being available globally in nearly 200 markets. This change removes the need for a credit card and eliminates one-time fees, addressing a key point of friction for many creators. This decision makes the Microsoft Store more inclusive and accessible to developers and comes in direct response to developer feedback.
The Microsoft Store now serves over 250 million monthly active users. Independent publishers like HUXSoft and Good2Create have seen a strong increase in user base and revenue due to recent improvements. Specific examples shared include HUXSoft’s daily new installs growing 10x and Good2Create’s daily active users growing from 10,000 to 40,000, leading to a sixfold revenue increase.
Microsoft says that its new onboarding process is streamlined and modern, allowing developers to go from sign-up to submission in minutes. Key features include lightweight ID verification, auto-filled profile details, and instant access to the Partner Center. Developers can publish various app types without code changes, including Win32, UWP, PWA, .NET MAUI, and Electron apps. The efficiency improvements with this update also reduce the barrier to entry and allows developers to focus on building apps. Microsoft also said that the platform is evolving rapidly due to AI innovation and new Copilot+ PCs.
Developers can use Microsoft’s commerce platform with low revenue share rates. For non-game apps, developers can use their own in-app commerce and keep 100% of the revenue. The Store also offers complimentary hosting (MSIX), free signing, and automatic updates, reducing developer overhead. These features allow developers to maximize their profits and focus on creativity while helping them to save time and money. You can get started by opening your account at storedeveloper.microsoft.com.