EU App Stores: Alternatives to Apple & Google Play

New App Store Options Emerge in the EU

Individuals residing within the European Union now have the capability to utilize app stores beyond the official options, a change enabled by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This regulation was specifically implemented to encourage greater competition within the application distribution landscape.

Similar to established platforms like Apple’s App Store, these alternative marketplaces provide users with access to a broader selection of applications.

However, a key difference lies in the review process. Instead of undergoing Apple’s standard App Review, applications distributed through these third-party stores are subject to a notarization process.

Ensuring Platform Integrity

This notarization is designed to verify that apps adhere to fundamental platform integrity standards, such as being free from malicious software, as outlined by Apple.

It’s important to note that while a baseline level of security is enforced, each individual store retains the autonomy to establish and apply its own unique app approval policies.

Furthermore, these stores assume full responsibility for all aspects of customer support and processing refunds, relieving Apple of these obligations.

New Business Terms for Developers

Developers seeking to operate an alternative app marketplace must agree to Apple’s revised business terms, specifically tailored for applications compliant with the DMA within the EU.

A significant component of these terms is the introduction of a Core Technology Fee.

This fee amounts to €0.50 for each initial annual installation of the marketplace app, and is applicable even before reaching the 1 million install threshold that applies to other EU-distributed apps under Apple’s DMA terms.

Early Adoption of Alternative Marketplaces

Despite the complexities introduced by these new regulations, several developers have already begun leveraging the opportunity to distribute their applications outside of Apple’s traditional ecosystem.

Below is a compilation of alternative app stores currently available for iPhone users located in the EU.

• Further details on specific stores will be provided.
• Users can explore these options to discover a wider range of applications.
• The DMA aims to provide consumers with more choice and control.

AltStore PAL

The AltStore PAL is a newly approved alternative app marketplace for the European Union. It was developed in collaboration with Riley Testut, the creator of the Delta Nintendo game emulator application.

This open-source app store provides a platform for independent developers to distribute their applications. Alongside apps from the Delta team, users will find offerings like Clip, a utility designed for clipboard management.

How AltStore PAL Differs

A key distinction between AltStore PAL and Apple’s App Store lies in app hosting. Apps on AltStore are self-hosted by the individual developer.

The process involves developers downloading an alternative distribution packet (ADP) and uploading it to their own server. They then establish a “source” which users add to AltStore to gain access to the applications.

Consequently, the AltStore interface will only display applications that users have actively chosen to add.

Popular Applications Available

Currently, a variety of applications are being added by users to the AltStore PAL. These include:

• UTM: A virtual machine application enabling the execution of Windows and other software on iOS or iPad.
• OldOS: A recreation of the iOS 4 operating system, constructed using SwiftUI.
• Kotoba: An iOS dictionary offered as a standalone application.
• iTorrent: A torrenting application for iOS devices.
• qBitControl: A remote client for qBittorrent, designed for iOS.
• PeopleDrop: A social discovery platform.

These applications demonstrate the potential of AltStore PAL to offer a diverse range of software options to EU users.

Setapp Mobile

MacPaw’s Setapp has been among the initial companies to finalize agreements with Apple regarding the new DMA stipulations. This allows for the establishment of an alternative app store specifically for users within the European Union.

For a considerable period, the company has provided a subscription service that features a carefully chosen collection of applications for both iOS and Mac platforms.

With the enactment of the DMA, Setapp Mobile was launched. This represents a new app store option exclusively for iOS users residing in the EU.

Like other subscription services offered by the company, this new store provides access to a wide range of applications under a unified, recurring subscription fee.

The application catalog is continually expanding. A key benefit is the absence of in-app purchases and advertisements within the included apps.

These applications are generally recognized for their superior quality, though prominent apps such as Facebook, Uber, and Netflix are not currently featured.

Subscription Details

Access to Setapp Mobile is currently provided at no extra cost to users already subscribed to the “Power User” and “AI Expert” Setapp plans.

Alternatively, new users can subscribe through the newly introduced “iOS Advanced” plan.

This plan bundles both the standard Setapp iOS application and Setapp Mobile for a monthly fee of $9.99/€9.49 or an annual fee of $107.88/€102.48.

Beta Access

Furthermore, all Setapp subscribers – with the exception of those on the “Family” and “Teams” plans – are eligible to participate in a free trial of Setapp Mobile during its invite-only beta phase.

Epic Games Store

On August 16th, Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, introduced a new iOS app store specifically for users within the European Union.

This new platform enables downloads of various games, featuring titles like Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys, with further additions planned.

Expanding Availability

Epic Games is also extending the reach of its games to other alternative app stores.

This includes platforms such as AltStore PAL, which is receiving support through a grant from Epic, as well as Aptoide’s iOS store within the EU and ONE Store for Android devices.

Background of the Launch

The decision to release Fortnite on these alternative iOS marketplaces arrives over four years after Apple removed the game from the App Store.

This removal was due to disagreements over policy compliance, subsequently leading to Epic’s legal challenge concerning Apple’s alleged App Store monopoly.

Legal Outcomes and Their Impact

Although U.S. courts determined that Apple did not exhibit anti-competitive practices, the lawsuit did result in a change.

Developers are now permitted to direct users to their own websites for purchases, benefiting from a reduced commission rate.

Fortnite’s return to the iOS ecosystem, via these alternative channels, marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding app store policies.

Aptoide

Based in Lisbon, Aptoide is presented as an alternative app distribution platform for iPhones, utilizing an open-source framework.

The company, which already operates a well-established alternative to the Google Play Store, emphasizes its commitment to app safety through rigorous scanning procedures before allowing downloads and installations.

Launch and Availability

Initially released as an invite-only beta program in June, the iOS iteration of the Aptoide store is now accessible to all users within the European Union.

Aptoide operates on a free-to-use model, meaning users are not directly charged for the Core Technology Fee levied by Apple.

Revenue Model

However, Aptoide does implement a commission structure on in-app purchases made through the iOS platform.

This commission ranges from 10% to 20%, contingent upon whether the purchases originated within the Aptoide marketplace itself.

Platform Reach and User Base

Aptoide boasts a substantial catalog of approximately 1 million applications.

These apps are available across a diverse range of platforms, including Android, web browsers, automotive systems, and smart televisions.

The platform currently serves a user base exceeding 430 million individuals globally.

Mobivention Marketplace

The Mobivention marketplace functions as a platform geared towards business-to-business (B2B) app distribution.

It enables organizations within the European Union to deploy internal applications utilized by their workforce.

These applications may be unsuitable for, or prohibited from, public listing on Apple’s App Store.

Core Functionality

Beyond simply providing a marketplace, Mobivention extends its services to include bespoke app marketplace development.

Companies can commission a customized app store specifically for their employees, hosting only corporate applications.

Furthermore, larger enterprises have the option to license Mobivention’s underlying technology.

Customization Options

Licensing allows for deeper customization of the app marketplace, tailoring it precisely to the organization’s unique requirements.

This provides a high degree of control over the app distribution process and user experience.

Mobivention offers a flexible solution for managing and distributing internal apps within the EU corporate landscape.

Skich

Skich revealed in March plans for a new app store designed for users within the European Union. This alternative platform distinguishes itself through a unique app discovery experience, resembling the popular Tinder interface.

Users will navigate the store by swiping right to indicate interest in apps, effectively "matching" with those they might find enjoyable.

Key Features

• App Discovery: A Tinder-like swiping mechanism for finding new applications.
• Playlists: Users can curate personalized collections of apps.
• Social Integration: The ability to view apps being used by friends.

The current Skich application will be superseded by this new store. The company intends to implement a 15% commission structure on all transactions made within the platform.

Currently, the app store is not populated with applications. Skich plans to actively recruit developers during the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

The goal is to begin adding app titles to the store later in March, following outreach to the developer community.

Skich is positioning itself as a viable alternative within the EU app distribution landscape.