itch.io Revenue Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter Gross Sales
Input the total revenue your game or asset has generated on itch.io before any platform deductions.
- 2
Set the Platform Cut
Enter the percentage itch.io takes from your sales. This can be set from 0% to 100% by developers, with a default of 10%.
- 3
Review Your Revenue Breakdown
The calculator displays your Developer Net Revenue, itch.io Platform Fee, Gross Sales, and Developer Share percentage. The Insights panel compares your earnings to Steam's fixed 30% cut and shows the zero-cut option.
Example Calculation
An indie game developer wants to see their net earnings from $1,000 in gross sales on itch.io with the default 10% platform cut.
Gross Sales ($)
1,000
Platform Cut (%)
10
Results
Developer Net Revenue
$900.00
itch.io Platform Fee
$100.00
Gross Sales
$1,000.00
Developer Share
90.0%
Tips
Compare to Steam's Fixed 30% Cut
At $1,000 in gross sales, itch.io's default 10% cut lets you keep $900 vs. $700 on Steam — $200 more per $1,000 in sales. Use this calculator to model different cut levels and find your break-even point.
Consider the Zero-Cut Option
itch.io uniquely allows a 0% platform cut. At 0%, you keep 100% of gross sales. Many developers start at 0% during launch promotions, then increase to 10% as a way to support the platform.
Factor in Payment Processing
Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe) take an additional 2–5% of each transaction. Your true take-home from $900 net revenue would be approximately $855–$882 after processing fees.
The itch.io Revenue Calculator helps indie game developers and digital content creators understand their net earnings from sales on the itch.io platform. By factoring in gross sales and the customizable platform cut, this tool shows your true developer share.
With itch.io's unique model allowing developers to set their platform cut from 0% to 100%, understanding the revenue impact of different cut levels is essential for pricing strategy and financial planning in 2026.
The Developer Revenue Formula
The calculator determines net revenue by subtracting the platform's share from gross sales.
Platform Fee = Gross Sales x (Platform Cut / 100)
Developer Net Revenue = Gross Sales - Platform Fee
Developer Share = 100% - Platform Cut
Where Gross Sales is total revenue before deductions, Platform Cut is the percentage itch.io retains (0–100%, default 10%), and Developer Net Revenue is the amount the creator receives.
Worked Example: $1,000 in Gross Sales
An indie developer achieves $1,000 in gross sales for their game on itch.io with the default 10% platform cut.
- Platform Fee:
$1,000 x (10 / 100) = $100.00— itch.io retains $100. - Developer Net Revenue:
$1,000 - $100.00 = $900.00— the developer keeps $900. - Developer Share:
100% - 10% = 90%— a favorable revenue split.
For comparison, the same $1,000 on Steam (30% cut) would yield only $700 net — $200 less than itch.io's default rate.
At a 0% itch.io cut, the developer would keep the full $1,000.
Platform Fee Comparison
Platform fees vary significantly across digital marketplaces. Steam, the Apple App Store, and Google Play impose a standard 30% cut on most sales, reducing developer net revenue to 70%. The Epic Games Store offers a more competitive 12% cut, while itch.io's fully customizable 0–100% model gives developers maximum control.
For a $10,000 game launch, the difference is substantial: $9,000 net on itch.io (10% cut), $8,800 on Epic (12%), versus $7,000 on Steam (30%). This $2,000 gap between itch.io and Steam scales linearly with revenue, making platform choice a critical business decision for indie developers.
Maximizing Revenue on itch.io
Beyond the favorable platform cut, itch.io offers several advantages for indie developers. The platform supports "pay what you want" pricing, allowing fans to pay above the listed price. Community bundles can drive massive exposure, and the platform's developer-friendly policies include no exclusivity requirements.
To maximize revenue, combine a competitive price point with strong community engagement. Developers who actively participate in game jams, maintain devlogs, and build an audience before launch typically see higher conversion rates and more generous "pay what you want" contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does itch.io's platform cut work?
itch.io allows developers to set their own platform cut anywhere from 0% to 100%. The default is 10%, meaning itch.io retains $100 from $1,000 in gross sales, and the developer keeps $900. This flexibility is unique among digital game marketplaces and lets developers control their revenue share directly.
How does itch.io compare to Steam for developer revenue?
Steam applies a fixed 30% platform cut (reduced to 25% above $10M and 20% above $50M in revenue). On $1,000 in gross sales, Steam keeps $300 vs. itch.io's default $100 (10% cut). Developers keep $200 more per $1,000 on itch.io at the default rate — a 29% higher net revenue.
Can I set the itch.io platform cut to 0%?
Yes. itch.io allows developers to set a 0% platform cut, keeping 100% of gross sales. This is a popular option during game launches or for community-supported projects. Developers can change their cut percentage at any time through their itch.io dashboard.
What other fees apply beyond the platform cut?
Beyond itch.io's platform cut, payment processors (PayPal, Stripe) charge approximately 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Refunds, chargebacks, and regional tax obligations (VAT, sales tax) can also reduce your effective net revenue. The calculator shows the platform fee portion; factor in processing fees separately for full financial planning.