Ask HN: Why is an app like Spotify not on the Mac App Store? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Why is an app like Spotify not on the Mac App Store?

8 pointslopatin6 comments

It seems like the quintessential app to have in the App Store. Is there something about the App Store that companies would rather distribute their own packages through their website?

View on HN

I dunno about the Mac but the Windows Store is a ghetto in Windows. Real applications are distributed with ordinary installers, you only go to the Windows Store because you need some crapplet to work the scanner on your printer or something.

Oddly, you can download games with Steam and it “just works” but I’ve had the database for the windows store get corrupted numerous times and been told by support and MS devs that I should nuke my account and reconfigure all the applications I use every day just so I can attempt to run one crapplet. It is silly because I know there is a utility to rebuild that database that runs when you do a feature update.

Do you think any developers would be using the app store on mobile (and giving up 1/3 of their money) if they had a choice?

Nah, Windows Store has legit apps.

Most mac apps I’ve worked on professionally have been distributed through sparkle rather than the mac app store. The 30%/15% fee is one thing but the bigger problem is slow app review, restrictions and complications around offering discounts or deals. I also personally find the user reviews to be something of a burden, they’re often abused by entitled users who will hold you hostage with one star reviews demanding certain features etc.

I hope one day we can distribute iOS apps in the same way.

A couple of weeks ago i had a CC go out of date on Spotify when I was on their mobile app. To put a new card in they asked me to go on their desktop page to renew my subscription. They dont take the payments on the apps for this 30% reason. I'm thinking they sideline it there for the same reason.

I don't know but I suspect because of billing requirements to give Apple of a 30% cut of any in app purchases.

30% fee and slow review and release process. And really, what's the point of the Mac App Store?

Wonder what percentage of Mac users actually use the Mac app store... maybe I'd be surprised.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com