Users warn of App Store tax after Twitch Turbo gets mobile availability

Users on social media are warning others about inflated prices after Twitch Turbo subscriptions became available through the mobile app.

When you make a purchase on mobile through an app like Twitch, Kick, or Twitter/X, odds are you’re paying a slightly higher price than if you’d buy the same thing through the browser.

Both Google and Apple take a 30% cut of each purchase for things like subscriptions, and companies often make up for that loss by charging the end user more.

Twitch announced on January 19, 2024, that users can now subscribe to Twitch Turbo through the app, but users are warning others about the inflated price that comes with the feature.

Twitch users warn of mobile Turbo sub upcharge

In a post on its Twitter account, Twitch shared that it’s now “easier than ever” to pick up Twitch Turbo alongside a screenshot showing the cost of $15.99 a month.

The inflated price is an increase of $4, and users were quick to warn others about it in the replies.

📣 It's now easier than ever to pick up Twitch Turbo!

We've added the ability to purchase directly on mobile, without needing to navigate to the browser on your mobile 📱

Turbo removes ads from streams and still contributes to ad revenue – supporting your favourite streamers 💜 pic.twitter.com/i4e1pdtrz7

— Twitch Support (@TwitchSupport) January 19, 2024

“Do not buy twitch turbo on mobile, it is more expensive because of the payment processing taking a cut,” one user replied.

Twitch streamer Lowco shared the warning as well. She said: “Never buy anything through the mobile app! Turbo, subs, and bits are more expensive because of app store fees. Twitch Turbo is $11.99/month through the desktop/web.”

“For everyone wondering why its $16 and not the normal $12. Its because if you buy subscriptions on Mobile, Google/Apple takes a 30% cut of it. So to make it even, the price is 30% higher, which brings it to $16,” a third user shared

Twitch was quick to address the price increase in a reply to their original tweet as well, saying that there are costs associated with selling Turbo subs in-app.

“Hey Folks! We haven’t increased our Turbo pricing, but pricing on mobile apps is higher as there are costs associated with selling Turbo subscriptions within mobile apps. We want to offer our community the option to subscribe in our apps, while preserving the same payout to streamers when you subscribe. In order to do that, the price has to reflect these cost,” they said.

“You are still able to purchase Turbo on Web for the usual price.”

There’s no doubt that having the ability to buy Twitch Turbo through the app will come in handy for some users, but it definitely comes with a sizable cost.