Every Fanvue app is either embedded or off-platform. This choice shapes where your app appears for creators (and their fans), what rules apply to it, and whether it must be listed on the App Store.
Off-platform apps run outside Fanvue’s UI, on your own domain, as a desktop app, CLI tool, mobile app, or any other standalone experience. They use the Fanvue API via OAuth, but creators interact with them somewhere other than Fanvue itself.
- Do not require an App Store listing. You can build an off-platform app purely for yourself, a specific client, or a private user group without ever submitting to the App Store.
- However, an off-platform app may still choose to be listed on the App Store to reach a wider audience, and if it is listed, the same rules apply as to any other listed app.
Listing, payment, and app type
The rule governing how app type, App Store listing, and Fanvue payment rails interact:
Any app on the App Store can offer paid plans billed through Fanvue, whether it’s embedded or off-platform. Paid apps on the App Store must use Fanvue payment rails.
So a listed app can charge creators through Fanvue, whichever type it is. An off-platform app that isn’t listed handles payment itself, with any processor it likes.
Public listings and payment rails are coming soon
Both public App Store listings and Fanvue payment rails are still rolling out. Today you can submit any type of app for pre-approval, the rules above govern review decisions now, so your submission should already comply. Approved apps will appear on the App Store and (if applicable) be able to charge through Fanvue once those pieces launch. Off-platform apps are unaffected.| App type | Paid/Free | App Store listing | Payment |
|---|
| Embedded | Free | Required | N/A |
| Embedded | Paid | Required | Fanvue payment rails |
| Off-platform | Free | Optional | N/A |
| Off-platform | Paid, listed | Optional | Fanvue payment rails |
| Off-platform | Paid, unlisted | Not listed | Any payment processor you choose |
Choosing the right type
A quick decision guide:
- Do you need to render UI inside Fanvue (in the creator’s dashboard, posts, or chat)? → Embedded.
- Do you want fans, not just creators, to interact with your app from inside Fanvue? → Embedded, with a fan-facing surface.
- Is your app a standalone product, CLI, or tool that runs on your own infrastructure? → Off-platform.
- Do you want to charge creators and have Fanvue handle billing? → List your app on the App Store. Both embedded and off-platform apps can offer paid plans billed through Fanvue once listed.
Next steps
