This disclosure describes systems and associated processes that provide digital rights management for applications. In some embodiments, these system and processes couple DRM protection with individual applications, rather than with a centralized service. For instance, these systems and processes can be implemented in the context of an application store or distribution service that distributes applications for purchase or for free to user devices. Developers can submit applications to the application distribution service for distribution to end users. In response to receiving an application from a developer, the application distribution service can modify the application to include DRM features. The application distribution service can accomplish this modification without input from or the knowledge of the developer. The DRM features included in the modified application can prevent or otherwise reduce copying or modifying of the application.