Microsoft Waives $99 Store Registration Fee for Company Developer Accounts

Microsoft is making it significantly easier for companies to publish apps on the Microsoft Store, rolling out a major onboarding overhaul that removes pain points for developers and organizations. This comes after Microsoft waived Store registration fee for individual developers back in September last year.

Microsoft removes entry barrier for companies

Microsoft has removed the $99 registration fee for company developer accounts, effectively making onboarding free. It also introduces Microsoft Entra ID support, allowing businesses to sign up using work accounts instead of personal credentials.

This shift is paired with a redesigned onboarding flow that focuses on reducing delays and manual steps. Microsoft says many verification checks are now automated, with clearer requirements, real-time status updates, and faster progression from signup to submission.

The company also highlights improved communication during the process, including email notifications that guide developers through each stage and flag missing requirements earlier than before.

Faster onboarding and simplified verification

Alongside the free registration update, Microsoft is also refining how companies complete identity and business verification. Developers can now select between Individual and Company accounts during setup, both of which are free.
For company verification, Microsoft recommends using a D-U-N-S Number to speed up approval. If available, it can instantly pull business details from external records. If not, companies can submit official documents such as incorporation papers, licenses, or tax filings, though this route may take longer due to manual review.

A business domain email is also encouraged, as it helps confirm organizational identity. Microsoft notes that mismatched email domains may trigger additional checks and slow down onboarding.

Notably, developers can publish Win32 apps, UWP, PWAs, .NET MAUI projects, and Electron-based apps without changing core code. Distribution is also expanding into enterprise environments through tools like Microsoft Intune, while MSIX packaging enables hosted updates and signing.

Moreover, Microsoft is also continuing its flexible commerce model, allowing non-game apps to use their own in-app payment systems and retain full revenue, a move that quietly strengthens its appeal to larger developers.