Microsoft has scrapped the one-time registration fee for developers publishing apps on the Windows Store.

It’s a move designed to boost developer engagement and broaden the appeal of its ecosystem.

Until recently, independent developers were charged a US$19 ($29) fee to list apps.

But from this week, anyone in nearly 200 countries can sign up with a standard Microsoft account, without needing a credit card.

“By eliminating these one-time fees, Microsoft is creating a more inclusive and accessible platform that empowers more developers to innovate, share and thrive,” said Chetna Das, a Microsoft senior product manager.

The change makes Microsoft’s offering more attractive compared with rivals.

Apple continues to charge developers US$99 ($153) annually for App Store access, while Google levies a one-off US$25 ($39) fee for the Play Store.

In contrast, Microsoft has now effectively removed all entry barriers for Windows app distribution.

The company has been steadily improving its store in recent years, introducing standalone installers, a redesigned web interface, and a smoother download process.

Microsoft is now positioning itself as the developer’s friend

Microsoft claims the store now serves more than 250 million monthly active users.

Developers can list a wide variety of applications, from Win32 and UWP programs to Progressive Web Apps and Electron builds.

Non-gaming developers can also keep 100% of their revenue if they use their own in-app commerce system.

That’s another significant point of difference from Apple’s tightly controlled marketplace.

For Australian developers and startups, the fee removal could lower barriers to entry at a time when competition for global visibility is fierce.

With the holiday software cycle looming, Microsoft is clearly betting that accessibility will drive more innovation into its ecosystem.