It’s not downloading the app. It’s the ongoing subscription. Apple and Google want HUGE chunks of change for subscriptions used through their store-delivered apps. Something like 30%. This is a matter of much controversy and potential regulation.
Just recently I noticed you can’t even buy a book through the Kindle app anymore! That’s the kind of harm Google and Apple’s surcharges have.
You don’t need Google on Android. I have successfully run multiple Android phones without Google accounts for years. It’s inconvenient but very possible.