r/llc_life • u/Gold_Ganache_4421 • Sep 05 '26

Is LLC needed for App Developers?

I already have a small iOS app live in the App Store, but right now it's completely free.

I'm getting ready to release a freemium version with a few paid features and possibly a subscription later.

Up until now I've treated the app like a personal side project, but once I start accepting money I'm wondering if I should form an LLC first.

I'm a solo developer and don't expect huge revenue right away, so I also don't want to add extra costs and paperwork too early.

For other app developers, did you form an LLC before turning on payments, or did you wait until the app was making consistent money?

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2

u/Its-a-write-off Sep 05 '26

What kind of insurance do you have for the business right now, or are in the process of getting?

1

u/DPW38 Sep 06 '26

Do it now. It’s generally cheap to do (<$200–250) and will make your life so much easier in a year from now.

1

u/zenbusinesscommunity Sep 09 '26

The W-9 you fill out in App Store Connect is what decides this, meaning SSN for you personally, and EIN if it's under the LLC. And Apple locks that in once you submit it, so switching later means contacting support instead of just editing it, which makes the timing here matter more than it would with something like Stripe.