You open an app, see a price, then check the same brand’s website… and it’s cheaper. That “wait, what?” moment usually comes down to one number: up to 30%—Apple says its standard commission rate is 30% for apps selling digital goods and services above certain thresholds.^1 When a store takes a big cut, somebody pays. Often, that “somebody” is you.

Let’s break down what’s going on (with real numbers), and then I’ll show you 5 practical apps I use to make sure I’m getting the best price without turning shopping into a full-time job.

What “cheaper on the website” actually means

When you buy something digital inside an app (a subscription, credits, premium features), the purchase is often processed through the platform’s billing system. That can come with platform fees, restrictions on how the app can talk about cheaper alternatives, and extra compliance work.

Meanwhile, the company’s website checkout can be cheaper because it can:

  • avoid (or reduce) certain platform fees,
  • apply web-only promo codes and bundles,
  • run different pricing experiments than the app,
  • capture customer info directly (which matters for marketing costs).

So yes—sometimes the website price is lower because it can be.

The biggest reasons apps cost more (and when they don’t)

1) App store fees get baked into the sticker price

On iOS, many digital purchases in apps are subject to Apple’s commission structure.^1 On Android, Google describes its Play billing “service fee” model, including 15% on the first $1M in annual revenue for developers (resetting each year).^2

In plain English: if a company sells something for $10 on the website, selling that same $10 inside the app may mean they net noticeably less.

A simple fee math example (why the app price jumps):
If a platform fee is 30%, and a company wants to net $9.99, the in-app price that nets the same is:

  • Net = Price × (1 − 0.30)
  • $9.99 = Price × 0.70
  • Price = $9.99 / 0.70 = $14.27

So you’ll often see pricing like:

  • Website: $9.99/month
  • App: $12.99–$14.99/month

That spread isn’t random—it’s fee math.

2) “Anti-steering” rules (and partial workarounds) shape what apps can say

Even when an app wants to tell you “pay on our website for less,” it may be limited in how it can present that option.

In the U.S., Apple introduced an option for developers to link to external purchasing, but with conditions and commissions reported in coverage of the policy shift (including a commission range depending on program/terms).^3 The practical result for you: some apps hint, some don’t mention it at all, and some show a link—but it can be buried.

3) Apps and websites run different promos (codes, bundles, “new customer” pricing)

Web checkouts are built for:

  • promo codes,
  • bundles (“annual plan + bonus month”),
  • email signup discounts,
  • cart-abandon offers.

Apps often prioritize simplicity (one-tap purchase) over coupon flexibility.

4) Extra app costs: support, fraud, refunds, and platform compliance

Platforms argue the fees support things like security, distribution, and tooling. Google frames the Play service fee as helping fund investments in the platform and developer ecosystem.^2 Whether you love or hate that logic, it helps explain why companies may price higher in-app.

5) Some categories are getting pushed toward clearer total prices

Pricing transparency is a trend, especially where fees and “surprise totals” are common. For example, the U.S. FTC has estimated its junk-fees rule will save consumers up to 53 million hours per year spent searching for total prices (tickets and short-term lodging).^4 Different category, same consumer pain: people are tired of doing math at checkout.

Here’s the quote that stuck with me because it matches how shopping feels lately: the FTC estimates the rule will save consumers “up to 53 million hours per year” of wasted time searching for the total price.^4

5 apps I use to actually pay the lower price

Below are five apps that help you spot when the website is the better deal (and help you capture that savings fast). I’m writing this as someone who actually uses them the way you would: quick checks, minimal fuss, and only the ones that consistently earn their spot on my phone.

1) Rakuten (cashback that often beats in-app pricing)

When I’m about to buy something and the app price looks “meh,” I’ll check Rakuten first. If the store is there, I click through Rakuten and buy on the website (mobile browser checkout is fine).

What I noticed while using it

  • Some retailers quietly offer better web promos (or better stackable deals) than in-app.
  • Cashback is easy to forget, but it adds up on household spending.

Pros

  • Simple: search store → activate cashback → checkout on web
  • Works well for big-box retailers and seasonal sales
  • Great for “I was going to buy it anyway” purchases

Cons

  • Cashback is not guaranteed on every item/category
  • You may need to be careful with coupon stacking (some codes can affect eligibility)

2) PayPal Honey (quick coupon check before you pay)

If I’m on a store website and there’s any chance a promo code exists, Honey is my “two taps and done” move. It’s especially useful when the app price is fixed, but the website can accept codes.

What I noticed while using it

  • It’s best as a last-minute check: you’re already committed, you just want to see if there’s an easy win.

Pros

  • Fast coupon discovery at checkout
  • Low effort, good for busy households

Cons

  • Codes aren’t always the best available (still worth checking)
  • Some stores exclude popular brands/items from code discounts

3) Capital One Shopping (price checks + better offers)

This one is helpful when you suspect the website is cheaper somewhere else, not just on the brand’s own site. I use it like a sanity check: “Am I overpaying because I stayed inside the app?”

What I noticed while using it

  • It’s strongest when you’re buying common items sold across multiple retailers.

Pros

  • Helpful price comparisons for everyday purchases
  • Often surfaces alternative retailers with lower totals

Cons

  • Like any comparison tool, results depend on the merchants it scans
  • You still need to verify shipping/returns (sometimes the cheapest total isn’t the best deal)

4) ShopSavvy (scan-and-compare for in-store vs online)

This is my “standing in the aisle” tool. If an in-store app price looks higher than what you saw online, ShopSavvy helps you check quickly by scanning barcodes.

What I noticed while using it

  • It reduces impulse buys because you can confirm whether the “deal” is real.

Pros

  • Fast barcode scanning
  • Useful for electronics, household items, and anything with a clear UPC

Cons

  • Inventory/price accuracy can vary by retailer
  • Some marketplace listings can muddy comparisons (you’ll want to filter for trusted sellers)

5) Flipp (grocery deals when the app price doesn’t match the flyer)

For groceries, the “app vs website vs weekly ad” mismatch is real. Flipp helps you pull up local flyers and compare quickly—especially useful when a store app pushes personalized prices that don’t match what’s in the ad.

What I noticed while using it

  • It’s great for planning: you can build a list around what’s actually discounted this week.

Pros

  • Strong for weekly grocery planning and price checking
  • Helps prevent “I thought it was on sale” checkout surprises

Cons

  • Doesn’t automatically apply discounts—you still have to shop smart at checkout
  • Some deals require loyalty accounts or digital clipping in the retailer’s ecosystem

Current trends you’ll keep seeing (so this keeps happening)

  • Platform fee pressure continues. Apple and Google both describe reduced-fee programs for smaller developers (Apple’s small business program reduces commission to 15% under eligibility rules; Google highlights 15% on the first $1M).^5 That helps some apps, but it doesn’t erase the incentive to steer value-conscious shoppers to the web.
  • More “buy on web” nudges—subtle ones. Policy changes and enforcement shifts have made this area dynamic, and you’ll likely keep seeing apps that either (a) avoid in-app purchase entirely for digital goods, or (b) price higher in-app to offset fees.^3
  • More transparency expectations. Regulators are pushing for clearer totals in fee-heavy categories, and shoppers are increasingly unwilling to hunt for the “real price.”^4

Conclusion

If it feels like the website is cheaper than the app more often lately, you’re not paranoid—you’re just noticing how platform fees, purchase rules, and promo mechanics shape prices. The easiest way to protect your budget is to make the website your “price check,” then use a couple of deal tools (cashback + coupons + comparison) so you’re not leaving savings on the table.

References