Two Types of Developer Accounts
When creating an app for distribution, you’ll need to choose between Individual and Organizational developer accounts.
Individual Developer Account
Designed for solo developers or small-scale projects:
Best for individuals without a registered business.
Limited features and scalability.
Higher workload for managing apps.
Organizational Developer Account
Built for businesses or teams:
Ideal for registered entities (e.g., LLC, Corporation).
Offers robust tools for team collaboration and app scalability.
Required for certain app categories and features on platforms like Google Play and Apple.
➡️ Why this choice matters:
Your account type affects app approval times, platform support, collaboration, and long-term growth. Choosing the wrong account can lead to delays, limited functionality, and more manual effort.
Feature/Criteria | Individual Account | Organizational Account |
Who is it for? | Sole proprietors, hobbyists, or solopreneurs without a business. | Registered businesses, teams, or organizations. |
Ease of Setup | Less requirements; no business registration is required. | Requires a registered legal entity and additional verification. |
App Approval Times | Slower due to more manual review processes. | Faster due to streamlined processes and compliance checks. |
Team Collaboration | Limited; no robust access controls for teams. | Full team access with permissions and roles for better control. |
Scalability for Growth | Difficult to scale; more effort is required to manage multiple apps. | Designed for growth; easier to manage multiple apps and teams. |
Platform Compliance | Stricter policies with less flexibility for future updates. | Better aligned with platform requirements for smooth updates. |
Support from Apple/Google | Limited; lower priority for assistance. | Priority support for account-related issues. |
Policy Risks | Higher risk of unforeseen policy changes impacting apps. | More stability and better long-term compliance. |
Requirements | You will need:
| Registered business entity; D-U-N-S® Number (Apple). |
Why We Recommend an Organizational Account
Using an Organizational Developer Account ensures:
🎯 Faster approvals and smoother app launches.
📊 Scalability for app growth and new features.
✅ Compliance with platform policies, reducing risks.
An Individual account should only be used as a last resort, with full understanding of its limitations.
Step 1: Are You a Registered Business?
Yes, I have a registered business.
✅ Proceed with an Organizational Developer Account.
Best suited for smooth app launches, team collaboration, and scalability.
No, I don’t have a registered business.
➡️ Consider forming a legal entity using services like LegalZoom or Zenbusiness.
Registered businesses unlock the benefits of Organizational accounts.
These accounts are preferred by app platforms and payment providers like Stripe.
NOTE: Uscreen is not affiliated with any legal services businesses and does not endorse any particular service. Our purpose is to provide examples of services that are available.
➡️ If you can’t register a business:
You may need to use an Individual Developer Account, but there are significant challenges (see Step 2).
Step 2: Challenges with Individual Developer Accounts
Using an Individual account may seem simpler, but it comes with limitations that can impact your app’s success.
Key Challenges of Individual Accounts
🚨 Delayed App Approvals: Review times are often longer, delaying app launches.
🔧 Manual Updates: No automation tools for updates, requiring extra effort.
❌ Restricted Access: Harder to collaborate with teams due to limited permissions.
📜 Policy Risks: Stricter platform policies can jeopardize your app’s future.
📉 Growth Limitations: Expanding your app portfolio or managing multiple apps becomes difficult.
Platform-Specific Guidance
Apple Developer Accounts
Organizational Account
Benefits:
✅ Full team access with permissions for collaboration.
✅ Automated app updates reduce manual work.
✅ Compliance with Apple’s guidelines for seamless processes.
Requirements:
A registered business.
A D-U-N-S® Number for verification.
Individual Account (Not Recommended)
Challenges:
Manual app updates are required.
Limited permissions make team collaboration harder.
Delays in-app reviews and reliance on you for setup and access.
Google Play Developer Accounts
Organizational Account
Benefits:
✅ Faster app submissions and better platform support.
✅ Scalability for multiple apps
✅ Some app categories can only be held in org accounts (e.g., finance, healthcare).
✅ Reduced manual processes.
Requirements:
A registered business entity.
Individual Account (Not Recommended)
Challenges:
🚩 App submissions require extensive manual effort.
Testing Requirements:
Ownership of an Android device.
You will need to own or purchase your own Android device.
20 beta testers must use the app for 2 weeks before final submission.
Delayed launches and limited support for scaling.
Final Recommendation
To maximize app success and minimize challenges:
📈 Choose an Organizational Account whenever possible.
❗ Avoid Individual Accounts unless necessary.
💡 Pro Tip: Laying a strong foundation with an Organizational account paves the way for better collaboration, smoother operations, and future scalability.