Android In-App Billing Exclusive To Android Marketplace

One of the features that distinguishes Android from iOS is Android’s willingness to support alternate app marketplaces like GetJar or the Amazon Appstore. Developers who choose to distribute their games through these alternative marketplaces won’t be able to integrate support for Android’s in-app billing system, which are being restricted to apps distributed through the official Android Marketplace. GetJar Chief Marketing Officer Patrick Mork is highly critical of this decision.

“GetJar’s view is that what’s good for developers is good for the ecosystem.  In this respect, in-app billing on Android is a big move that’s sure to have very positive impact on developers’ ability to monetize Android content.  What’s less good is the news that developers won’t be able to use this outside Market.  Why?  Because Market has not proven itself to provide the best Android retail experience.  This isn’t our opinion.  It’s a fact and it’s what most developers will tell you (off the record of course!),” wrote Mork, in a post to the official GetJar company blog.

It’s worth noting that unlike iOS, Android will permit third-party payment providers to continue operating on Android now that in-app billing is in place. So alternative marketplaces could, in theory, still distribute freemium games with microtransactions powered by Zong, Boku, PayPal, or PlaySpan. Official payment methods like Android’s in-app billing are thought to be lower-friction and more trusted by consumers, though, and therefore can drive higher revenue.

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