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Microsoft drops annual fee for Windows Developer Centre accounts

By James Lu - on 18 Sep 2014, 11:12am

Microsoft drops annual fee for Windows Developer Centre accounts

Microsoft has struggled to attract app developers to its Windows and Windows Phone platforms and, despite some recent growth, still lags far behind Apple and Google on the apps front. Things may soon be changing however, as Microsoft is hoping to make things a little easier on Windows developers by removing the annual renewal fee for Windows Developer Centre accounts.

The change was made yesterday and will mean that Windows and Windows Phone developer accounts won’t expire. Previously, a US$19 fee was required to renew your account every year, otherwise your apps would be removed from the Windows Store. When the Windows Store first launched, the annual renewal fee was set at US$99, before dropping to US$19 a year in 2013.

Windows and Windows Phone app developers will now only need to pay a one time registration fee to gain access to the Windows Dev Centre.

In addition to the fee removal, Microsoft has revamped its Dev Center Benefits program, which helps developers to develop, improve and market their apps with a variety of tools. There are three offer packages in the program, tailored by experience level:

  • Explorer gets you started quickly with design and architecture guidance and consulting help from a Microsoft expert, Gift Cards, and Dev Center registration fee.
  • Expert helps you reach more users faster with advertising offers, a publishing contract, and more.
  • Master unlocks VIP access to developer marketing and support, SDK early access and more.

For reference, iOS developers are charged US$99 per year, while Android developers pay a one time registration fee of US$25.

Source: Microsoft

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