How recent regulations are transforming mobile app payments — what developers need to know and how Worldline supports your strategy

Around the world, regulators are moving to rein in the dominance of mobile app gatekeepers and create a fairer, more competitive ecosystem — especially when it comes to app payments.

Both the EU and the USA have introduced rules that give app developers and content creators more freedom to offer alternative payment options, communicate directly with their users, and retain a greater share of their revenue.

This wave of reform is fundamentally changing how digital marketplaces operate — and presents a major opportunity for developers and creators to reshape their monetisation strategies.

Opening up the mobile app ecosystem

Regulators in some of the world’s most developed mobile markets are moving to reduce friction and rebalance fee structures that have long favoured platform owners over app developers and content creators.

A prime example is the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which became law in March 2024, which requires so-called ‘gatekeeper’ platforms to allow developers to promote and offer alternative app payment systems. In April 2025 the EU issued its first fines for violations under the DMA, totalling USD 800 million.

Similarly, in the USA, recent enforcement actions and court rulings are pressuring platform operators to comply with antitrust principles. A US federal judge found Apple in violation of a previous order by continuing to block developers from freely linking to external payment options and imposing high commissions. The court ordered Apple to allow developers to steer users toward alternative payments without unfair constraints.

These regulatory shifts signal a broader transformation: one where developers have more control over the user journey and the economics of their apps.

Why this matters for app developers and content creators

For developers and content creators, the recent regulatory rulings point the way to new freedoms and potential new revenue streams through:

• Control over revenue
  Developers can now direct users to external websites for purchases, bypassing current app stores’ commission-heavy payment systems, and potentially retaining a larger share of revenue
• More payment options
  With freedom from current app stores’ rather restricted payment platforms, app developers and content creators can offer their users any payment option they choose, including a wide range of Alternative Payment Methods (APMs)
• Improved customer engagement
  With fewer platform restrictions, developers can create tailored purchase flows, loyalty programs, and user experiences that were previously constrained
• Competitive innovation
  The change should encourage a more competitive app environment, where developers can experiment with business models, payment incentives, and pricing strategies.

With these new-found freedoms, app developers and content creators need to deliver secure, user-friendly payment options. Managing external payments requires developers to ensure security, compliance, and a frictionless customer experience across all platforms, without the built-in support of current app store ecosystems.

How Worldline can support your payment needs

Worldline is already well positioned to help app developers capitalise on the new opportunities opened up by recent regulatory rulings, by offering:

• Seamless, secure payments
  Our payment solutions provide bank-grade security, tokenisation, and fraud prevention, which are essential for safeguarding transactions outside traditional app store channels
• Developer-friendly integration
  Our Hosted Payment Pages, JavaScript browser SDK make it easy to integrate payment capabilities directly into apps or websites, offering a smooth, branded checkout experience
• Global reach and local flexibility
  With support for over 150 currencies and a wide range of local payment methods, Worldline helps developers and creators optimise conversion rates and reach users across borders.
• Compliance expertise
  From PCI-DSS compliance to local regulations, Worldline ensures app payments stay compliant wherever users are located and whichever payment method they choose.

Embrace the future of mobile commerce

Recent regulatory rulings, especially those in the EU and the USA, mark a turning point in the way mobile commerce will work. From now on, app developers and creators will have more control over how they communicate with users, especially in how payments are handled. This freedom comes with greater responsibility. By partnering with Worldline, app creators can move quickly to implement alternative payment systems, reduce fees, and deliver a seamless customer experience, without compromising security or compliance.

Quick links:

• Hosted Payment Pages to outsource your checkout page
• JavaScript browser SDK to build your own checkout page
• Sandbox to explore our offering

Contact Us Today

Interested in how Worldline can help you adapt to the evolving mobile payments landscape? Get in touch for tailored support.

menno.hoekstra@worldline.com  
georgios.hadjigeorgiou@worldline.com