Now that we have a release date for Windows 8, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about apps. All of the apps we’ve seen for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview have been free, but obviously, that won’t be the case when the full version of Windows 8 becomes available. Even though we’ll surely see a ton of free apps available on the Windows Store, developers will have the option of setting prices for their apps as well.
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Microsoft has detailed the pricing scheme it will eventually use for the Windows Store, saying in a post on the MSDN Blog that app prices can range from $1.49 all the way up to $999.99. In an apparent attempt to make the Windows Store stand out from all the other app stores, developers won’t have the option of pricing their apps at $0.99, so don’t count on having a seemingly endless supply of dollar deals to browse through on the Windows Store.
The company also says that it will support successful apps by only taking a 20% fee on apps that generate $25,000 or more in sales. Until apps reach that $25,000 milestone, however, Microsoft will be taking an industry-standard cut of 30%.
Additionally, Microsoft is taking a “try before you buy” approach to the Windows Store, letting developers offer a free trial period for their apps. A trial lasts for seven days, and naturally gives users the option of backing out of a full purchase should they decide they don’t like the app during the trial window.
Microsoft is making some smart decisions with the Windows Store. The 20% fee on successful apps will likely have developers giving the Windows Store priority in some cases, and giving users access to a free trial before buying could potentially lead to more downloads (and, by extension, more purchases). We’ll see if Microsoft’s plan for the Windows Store works out when Windows 8 launches on October 26.