Last week, Google announced that Android apps selling digital goods can now process in-app payments using third-party payment providers. This follows a related change for iOS purchases: in May 2025, Apple updated its guidelines to allow apps to collect payments by linking out to external websites—enabling app developers to save up to 80% in processing fees.

However, app stores have traditionally managed three key tasks: serving as merchant of record, delivering a high-converting in-app payments experience, and managing ongoing recurring charges and customer interactions. While some developers might be prepared to manage these activities on their own, others will need to find an alternative solution.

Since the iOS changes earlier this year, many customers have turned to Stripe to handle in-app purchases and meet each of the above needs by using multiple products: Managed Payments allows Stripe to act as your merchant of record instead of relying on an app store; Stripe's Optimized Checkout Suite supports in-app payments, with or without a web redirect; and enables you to customize your app's pricing models via subscriptions, usage-based billing, pay-as-you-go, or one-time charges.

Sell globally with Stripe as your merchant of record

Last week, Google announced that Android apps selling digital goods to US customers can now process in-app payments using third-party payment providers. This follows a related change for iOS purchases: in May 2025, Apple updated its guidelines to allow apps to collect payments by linking out to external websites—enabling app developers to save up to 80% in processing fees.

However, app stores have traditionally managed three key tasks: serving as merchant of record, delivering a high-converting in-app payments experience, and managing ongoing recurring charges and customer interactions. While some developers might be prepared to manage these activities on their own, others will need to find an alternative solution.

Accept in-app payments on Android and iOS

Since the iOS changes earlier this year, many customers have turned to Stripe to handle in-app purchases and meet each of the above needs by using multiple products: Managed Payments allows Stripe to act as your merchant of record instead of relying on an app store; Stripe's Optimized Checkout Suite supports in-app payments, with or without a web redirect; and enables you to customize your app's pricing models via subscriptions, usage-based billing, pay-as-you-go, or one-time charges. Together, these products help you create an on-brand, high-converting, in-app payments flow—without adding operational complexity.

Managed Payments & Checkout Suite

Managed Payments allows Stripe to act as your merchant of record instead of relying on an app store. Stripe's Optimized Checkout Suite supports in-app payments, with or without a web redirect, and enables you to customize your app's pricing models via subscriptions, usage-based billing, pay-as-you-go, or one-time charges.

Customize your pricing models

Together, these products help you create an on-brand, high-converting, in-app payments flow—without adding operational complexity. Whether you're building a subscription service, a marketplace, or a one-time purchase experience, Stripe's suite of tools provides the flexibility you need to grow globally.