Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about offering direct billing alongside the App Store and Play Store — pricing, integration, compliance, and how the platform handles the rest.
Platform & product
How ZeroSettle fits next to the tools you already use.
How is ZeroSettle different from RevenueCat?
RevenueCat is a subscription analytics and entitlement tool — billing happens through Apple, Google, or a Stripe checkout you build yourself. ZeroSettle is one platform: analytics, entitlements, A/B testing, and direct web checkout (with us as Merchant of Record, if you want it). Most teams switch to consolidate vendors and stop paying 1% of MRR for analytics that's free with us.
Does ZeroSettle work for Android-only apps?
Yes. The SDK ships for iOS, Android, and Flutter. Play Billing sync, Real-Time Developer Notifications, and Play Console catalog import are first-class. Cross-platform identity is bidirectional — iOS users who switch to Android keep their subscription, and vice versa.
How many apps already offer direct billing?
Thousands. Since the Epic v. Apple ruling took effect, direct billing has gone from niche to mainstream. Companies like Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, and many more have adopted external payment options — and the number of smaller developers following suit is growing rapidly every month.
This isn't early-adopter territory anymore. Direct billing is an established, proven revenue strategy used across every app category — from subscriptions and SaaS to gaming, media, and education.
How long does it take to integrate?
Most developers are up and running in under 15 minutes on both iOS and Android. Add the SDK (one line in your package manager), configure your publishable key, and call the checkout method — that's it. Your existing App Store Connect and Play Console products sync automatically.
There's no backend to build and no payment infrastructure to manage. As your Merchant of Record, ZeroSettle handles payments, tax, and disputes. You write a few lines of code and start keeping more revenue immediately.
What does the checkout experience look like for my users?
ZeroSettle supports three checkout modes, and you choose which to use per region from your dashboard:
Native payment sheet — An embedded payment sheet that appears inside your app. Users see Apple Pay and card options without ever leaving. The purchase completes in seconds.
In-app browser — A Stripe-powered checkout opens in a browser view within your app. Supports Apple Pay and card payments with a familiar, fast flow.
External browser — The checkout opens in Safari. Same Stripe-powered experience, same payment options.
All three modes provide a callback confirming the purchase to your app. The SDK handles mode selection automatically based on your dashboard configuration and the user's region.
What it costs
Free to use. We only charge on revenue that runs through ZeroSettle web checkout.
What does ZeroSettle cost?
The platform is free — analytics, entitlements, and the SDK cost nothing. We only charge on revenue that runs through ZeroSettle web checkout:
BYOS — 0.5% of web-checkout revenue, plus your own Stripe fees (you remain Merchant of Record).
Managed — 5% + 50¢ per web-checkout transaction, with ZeroSettle as Merchant of Record.
App Store and Play Store sales are never charged a ZeroSettle fee. See the pricing page for the full breakdown.
Do you charge a fee on App Store or Play Store purchases?
No. ZeroSettle fees apply only to revenue you run through ZeroSettle web checkout. Purchases that go through Apple's StoreKit or Google Play Billing — including the automatic fallback in regions where direct billing isn't permitted — are never charged a ZeroSettle fee.
What's the difference between Managed and BYOS?
In Managed mode, ZeroSettle is the Merchant of Record. We handle the Stripe account, global tax remittance, chargebacks, and customer billing support. You get a single fee: 5% + 50¢ per transaction.
In BYOS (Bring Your Own Stripe), you connect your own Stripe account and remain MoR — you handle tax and disputes the same way you would with RevenueCat. The platform fee drops to 0.5%.
Is the analytics suite really free?
Yes — MRR, ARPU, churn, retention, active trials, customer insights, and entitlement management are included at no cost on every tier. There's no MRR cap and no per-seat fee. We make money on checkout (5% + 50¢ on Managed, 0.5% on BYOS), so analytics is free.
Is there an MRR cap or a per-seat fee on analytics?
No. The analytics suite is free forever on every tier — no MRR cap, no per-seat charge, no usage limit. You only ever pay on revenue that runs through ZeroSettle web checkout.
Tax, disputes & payouts
Who is on the hook for what — and where direct billing is available.
Who handles tax and chargebacks?
It depends on which mode you choose:
Managed — ZeroSettle is the Merchant of Record. We handle global tax remittance across 190+ countries, chargebacks, and customer billing support for web-checkout transactions.
BYOS — You stay Merchant of Record on your own Stripe account, so you handle tax and disputes the same way you would today.
How do payouts work?
Payouts run through Stripe Connect. On Managed, ZeroSettle sets up a Stripe Express account for you and routes payouts automatically. On BYOS, you connect your own Stripe Standard account and payouts flow on your existing Stripe schedule.
Is offering alternative payments on iOS and Android legal?
Yes. Three major changes have made alternative payments explicitly legal across platforms:
iOS · United States — The Epic Games v. Apple injunction (upheld by the Supreme Court in 2025) requires Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods.
iOS · European Union — The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to allow third-party payment processors. Apple introduced new business terms in early 2024 to comply.
Android · User Choice Billing — Google's User Choice Billing program permits third-party payment processors alongside Play Billing in supported regions.
ZeroSettle's SDK detects user region and falls back to StoreKit / Play Billing where direct billing isn't allowed — no code changes required.
Where is direct billing available? Are there region restrictions?
Direct billing availability depends on the user's jurisdiction:
United States — All checkout types are available (native payment sheet, in-app browser, and external Safari). This is the broadest option thanks to the Epic v. Apple ruling.
European Union — In-app browser and external Safari checkout are available under the Digital Markets Act. We recommend in-app browser for the best conversion rates.
Rest of World — In most other regions, direct billing may not be permitted under current platform policies. The ZeroSettle SDK automatically detects the user's location and falls back to StoreKit in these regions, so your app works everywhere without any code changes.
You can configure which checkout type to use in each region from your ZeroSettle dashboard.
Still have questions?
Book a demo and we'll walk through pricing, integration, and compliance for your app — or just start free and explore the dashboard yourself.