Move over, Apple: Meet the alternative app stores available in the EU and elsewhere

Move over, Apple: Meet the alternative app stores available in the EU and elsewhere

People in the European Union are now allowed to entry alternative app stores because of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation designed to foster elevated competitors in the app ecosystem. Like Apple’s App Store, alternative app marketplaces on enable for simple entry to a wider world of apps on Apple devices, however instead of the apps going by way of Apple’s App Review course of, the apps on these third-party marketplaces should undergo a notarization course of to make sure they meet some “baseline platform integrity standards,” Apple says — like being malware-free. However, each retailer can review and approve apps according to its personal insurance policies. The stores are also liable for any issues referring to help and refunds, not Apple. 

To run an alternative app market, builders must settle for Apple’s alternative enterprise phrases for DMA-compliant apps in the EU. This consists of paying a new Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for each first annual set up of their market app, even before the threshold of 1 million installs is met, which is the bar for other EU apps distributed under Apple’s DMA enterprise phrases. 

Despite the sophisticated new guidelines, a handful of builders have taken benefit of the alternative to distribute their apps outdoors of Apple’s partitions. 

Beyond the EU, other markets are experimenting with alternative app stores, as effectively, like Japan. In December 2025, Apple announced its compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which provides builders new choices to distribute apps and course of funds outdoors of Apple’s App Store.

This possibility also requires builders to settle for new enterprise phrases, like a decreased 10% to 21% App Store fee, a cost processing charge for Apple in-app purchases of 5%, a core technology charge of 5%, and a 15% retailer providers fee on net sales made by way of a hyperlink in the app.

Below is an inventory of the alternative app stores iPhone customers in these markets can strive today. 

AltStore PAL (EU)

Image Credits:AltStore

Co-created by developer Riley Testut, maker of the Nintendo game emulator app Delta, the AltStore PAL is an formally authorised alternative app market in the EU. The open source app retailer will enable unbiased builders to distribute their apps alongside the apps from AltStore’s makers, Delta, and a clipboard supervisor, called Clip. 

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Unlike Apple’s App Store, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To work, builders obtain an alternative distribution packet (ADP) and add it to their server, then create a “source” that customers will add to the AltStore to entry their apps. That means the only apps you’ll see in the AltStore are those you’ve added yourselves. 

Some common apps that customers are including embrace the digital machine app UTM, which helps you to run Windows and other software on iOS or iPad; OldOS, a re-creation of iOS 4 that’s constructed in SwiftUI; Kotoba, the iOS dictionary available as a stand-alone app; torrenting app iTorrent; qBittorrent distant consumer for iOS devices called qBitControl; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop.

Setapp Mobile (EU – closed Feb. 2026)

Image Credits:Setapp

MacPaw’s Setapp turned one in every of the first corporations to conform to Apple’s new DMA enterprise phrases to arrange an alternative app retailer for EU customers. Unfortunately, this app retailer didn’t last lengthy — the company announced it could sundown the Setapp Mobile service on February 16, 2026. (Applications on Setapp Desktop weren’t affected.) The company cited Apple’s “still-evolving” and complicated enterprise phrases as the motive for its determination.

The company had lengthy supplied a subscription-based service that includes a collection of curated apps for patrons on iOS and Mac. Following the implementation of the DMA, it launched the alternative app retailer for Setapp Mobile for iOS customers only in the EU. Similar to its other subscription choices, the now-shuttered app retailer had included dozens of apps under a single recurring subscription value, and the variety of apps grew over time. The apps have been free from in-app purchases or adverts and are usually thought-about high high quality. However, it didn’t embrace big-name apps like Facebook, Uber, Netflix, and others. 

Epic Games Store (EU)

Fortnite maker Epic Games launched its alternative iOS app retailer in the EU in August 2024, permitting customers to obtain games, including its personal Fortnite and others like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, with more to return. The company said it’s also bringing its games to other alternative app stores, including AltStore PAL, which it’s now supporting by way of a grant, in addition to Aptoide’s iOS retailer in the EU and ONE Store on Android. 

The transfer to launch Fortnite in alternative iOS marketplaces comes more than 4 years after Apple eliminated the game from its App Store over coverage violations, ahead of Epic’s authorized challenge to the alleged App Store monopoly. While U.S. courts determined that Apple was not engaged in antitrust conduct, the lawsuit did pave the means for builders to hyperlink to their very own web sites for a decreased fee. 

Aptoide (EU)

Image Credits:Aptoide

An alternative game retailer for iPhone, Lisbon-based Aptoide is an open source resolution for app distribution. The company, already identified for its Google Play alternative, says it scans the apps to make sure they’re protected to obtain and set up.

The iOS version of the Aptoide retailer launched as an invite-only beta in June 2024 before turning into available to all across the EU. As a free-to-use retailer, Aptoide doesn’t cost its customers to cowl its Core Technology Fee paid to Apple, however takes a ten% to twenty% fee on in-app purchases on iOS, relying on whether or not they have been generated by the market or not. 

Across all platforms, including Android, net, automotive, and TV, Aptoide affords 1 million apps to its more than 430 million customers. 

Mobivention market (EU)

Image Credits:Mobivention

A B2B-focused app retailer, the Mobivention market permits EU corporations to distribute their inside apps that are utilized by staff, however can’t — or shouldn’t — be printed in Apple’s App Store. The company also affords the development of a custom-made app market for corporations that need to supply staff their very own app retailer just for his or her company apps. Larger corporations can even license Mobivention’s technology to more deeply customise the app market to their very own wants.

Skich (EU)

Image Credits:Skich

Last March, Skich announced the launch of an alternative app retailer for EU customers, which differentiates itself by providing a Tinder-like interface for app discovery. That is, customers swipe proper to “match” with apps they could get pleasure from. They can also create playlists and see what apps their mates are playing. The new retailer will substitute Skich’s current app and will see the company taking a 15% fee on all purchases. Instead of filling its app retailer with apps instantly, the retailer marketed to builders at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

Onside (EU and Japan)

Onside

Onside is an alternative iOS app retailer available in each the EU and, now, Japan, as of February 17, 2026, because of the new laws. The company guarantees it’s going to cost builders decrease charges while still providing safety, including preserving cost data non-public. The retailer at the moment helps financial institution card funds and Apple Pay and will later roll out help for other cost strategies like iDeal, Klarna, and more.

For shoppers, Onside touts a spread of top apps and exclusives that can’t be discovered on other marketplaces within a well-known interface that consists of conventional app retailer options, like editorial collections, scores and reviews, and automated updates.

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