Google LLC · Browser & OS extension stores
Google Play is the primary app store for Android, reaching billions of devices worldwide. Developers pay a one-time $25 registration fee, use the Google Play Console to upload signed Android App Bundles, and pass Google's policy review, which blends automated malware/privacy scanning (Play Protect) with human evaluation. Google has tightened identity verification and pre-launch testing requirements in recent years, raising the practical bar despite the low entry cost.
Monetization flows through Google Play Billing, with Google as Merchant of Record for taxes and payouts. Commission has historically been 30% standard and 15% reduced, but a 2026 settlement with Epic Games is driving materially lower headline rates in the US, UK, and EEA — verify the exact current percentages when listing, as they are actively changing and vary by region. As with Apple, the store install requires no developer credential, but apps typically authenticate users via Google Sign-In / OAuth2, and developers automate release management through the OAuth2-secured Play Developer API.