Google Opens Door to Free App Publishing on Play Store
Google will let anyone over 18 with a Google account publish privately listed Android apps built in its AI Studio, for free. Apple, in contrast, has been tightening its App Store's restrictions on similar software throughout the year.
There is no paid developer account required to publish an app. The apps must be privately listed and do not appear in the store's search or recommendations. While Google charges a one-time $25 fee for a developer account, and Apple charges $99 annually, both platforms review new submissions before release.
Sam Bright, who heads Google Play, demonstrated the new process with a sports team tracker app.
In stark contrast, Apple has seen a 84% increase in App Store submissions in a quarter as vibe coding gained popularity, but it has also started removing apps that change behavior after review. Apple's review times have increased significantly, ranging from a day or two to between one week and more than a month by March.
Security concerns arise from the fact that AI-generated code passed Veracode’s tests only 56% of the time last year, without guardrails.
Google is also making it harder to bypass its store. Since September 30, apps installed through participating stores on certified devices must be registered to a verified developer, a process that involves navigating developer options, a restart, and a 24-hour wait. This measure is set to expand globally in 2027.
This shift comes as Europe enforces new regulations on Google, including requiring the company to give rival AI assistants the same Android access as its own Gemini, alongside sharing search data with rival search engines and chatbots at regulated prices.