Apple bets cheaper AI will woo small developers

Apple is removing cloud API costs for developers whose apps have fewer than 2 million first-time App Store downloads. The move aims to make AI experimentation more affordable for smaller teams as development and infrastructure costs rise.

By subsidizing access, Apple is trying to keep indie and emerging developers building within its ecosystem instead of shifting to rival AI platforms. The policy could accelerate AI features in smaller apps while reinforcing Apple’s role as a gatekeeper for developer tooling.

As AI experimentation grows more expensive, Apple is waiving cloud API costs for developers with fewer than 2 million first-time App Store downloads.