In a groundbreaking moment for iOS developers, payments software giant Stripe has unveiled a game-changing strategy to help them avoid Apple's hefty App Store commission.

This development comes hot on the heels of a significant ruling in the Apple-Epic antitrust trial, where Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers criticized Apple for its restrictive payment policies. Following her mandate, Stripe wasted no time in providing guidance on how developers can leverage this newfound opportunity.

Stripe's product manager, Michael Luo, revealed on X that the team whipped up a "quick guide" to steer iOS developers on accepting payments seamlessly via Stripe while evading Apple's commission fees.

While Apple had earlier allowed linking to external websites for purchases, the company only reduced its notorious 30% cut by a meager 3%. Moreover, they introduced cautionary notes about potential risks when paying outside the App Store. Judge Rogers denounced these tactics, stating they violated her earlier injunction, insisting Apple revamp its practices immediately.

Stripe's documentation walks developers through setting up a payment link within their apps, facilitating the acceptance of payments for digital goods through Stripe Checkout. This redirect will guide users to a secure payments page hosted by Stripe—offering an improved checkout experience.

Admittedly, opting for Stripe entails more effort than simply utilizing Apple’s in-app purchases, as developers must create and manage their own payments interface. Nevertheless, Stripe's fees are a lot more appealing at just 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, in stark contrast to Apple's 30% commission—and even the slightly reduced 15% for some qualifying apps.

The response to Stripe’s announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, racking up thousands of likes on X from enthusiastic developers.

Notably, Apple critic and tech entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson—a key figure behind Ruby on Rails and co-owner of 37Signals—hailed Stripe's initiative. Over the years, Hansson has clashed with Apple regarding the rejection of his apps for steering clear of the company’s in-app purchase requirements.

On X, he remarked that Apple's recent legal defeat is paving the way for an exciting era for app developers, stating, "Apple’s loss in court is immediately opening up a whole new world for app developers. Entire business models were impossible under the old 30% regime."