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.
