In compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective as of now, individuals within the European Union gain access to alternative app stores, aimed at enhancing competition within the app ecosystem. Unlike Apple's App Store, these third-party marketplaces allow for a broader spectrum of apps on Apple devices without undergoing Apple's App Review process. Instead, apps are subjected to a notarization process to meet "baseline platform integrity standards," as stated by Apple – ensuring they are malware-free among other requirements. Each store can approve apps according to its own policies, while matters relating to support and refunds remain the responsibility of the store, not Apple.
To operate an alternative app marketplace in the EU, developers must accept Apple's alternative business terms for DMA-compliant apps. This includes a new Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for each first annual install of their marketplace app, payable even before achieving 1 million installs – a threshold required for other EU apps under Apple's DMA business terms. Despite the intricate regulations, several developers have seized this opportunity to distribute their apps beyond Apple's domain.
Beyond the EU, markets like Japan are also experimenting with alternative app stores. In December 2025, Apple announced its adherence to the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), offering developers new distribution options and payment processing methods outside of Apple’s App Store. Compliance with the MSCA necessitates acceptance of new business terms, including a reduced App Store commission of 10%-21%, a 5% payment processing fee for in-app purchases, a core technology fee of 5%, and a 15% store services commission on web sales made through an app link.
EU iPhone Users Introduced to Official Alternative App Marketplace: AltStore PAL
In a significant development for Apple device users, the EU now hosts an officially approved alternative app marketplace known as AltStore PAL. Co-created by developer Riley Testut, renowned for his Nintendo game emulator app Delta, this open-source platform provides independent developers with a means to distribute their applications alongside those from AltStore's creators and another utility, Clip, a clipboard manager.
Unlike the traditional App Store, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To utilize these alternative apps, developers download an alternative distribution packet (ADP) and upload it to their server. Users then create a "source" within the AltStore to access the applications they've added personally. As such, the AltStore exclusively features apps that users have chosen to include.
Prominent applications in circulation include UTM, a virtual machine application enabling Windows and other software to run on iOS or iPad devices, and OldOS, a SwiftUI recreation of iOS 4. Additionally, Kotoba, an iOS dictionary app, is among the options available through AltStore PAL.
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International tech firm MacPaw's Setapp agreed to comply with Apple's new Digital Markets Act (DMA) terms, becoming one of the first companies to establish an alternative app store for EU users. The temporary app store, named Setapp Mobile, offered a selection of curated apps for iOS and Mac devices, operating under a recurring subscription model. Despite its initial success, the service was discontinued on February 16, 2026, due to Apple's "still-evolving" business terms being deemed complex and challenging.
Applications available on Setapp Desktop were not affected by this decision. The apps offered through Setapp Mobile were generally of high quality and free from in-app purchases or advertisements, although they did not include popular platforms like Facebook, Uber, Netflix, and others.
In August 2024, Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, launched a similar alternative app store in the EU for iOS users. This move came over four years after Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store due to policy violations. In addition to Fortnite, the platform offers games such as Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, with more titles expected to be added.
Epic Games also announced plans to expand their games across various alternative app stores, including AltStore PAL, which they are now supporting through a grant, and Aptoide's iOS store in the EU, as well as ONE Store on Android devices.
In advance of Epic Games' legal challenge alleging App Store monopoly, the U.S. courts have ruled that Apple was not involved in antitrust activities. However, the lawsuit did establish a precedent enabling developers to direct users to their own websites for reduced commissions. Amidst this shift, two European-based platforms are emerging as alternatives: Aptoide and Mobivention marketplace.
Lisbon-based Aptoide, an open source solution for app distribution, offers an alternative game store for iPhone users. The company, known for its Google Play alternative, ensures the safety of downloaded apps through scanning. The iOS version of the Aptoide store was launched as an invite-only beta in June 2024 and subsequently became available across the EU. Distinct from Apple's commission, Aptoide operates as a free-to-use store, taking a 10% to 20% commission on in-app purchases on iOS, depending on their origin. Across all platforms—Android, web, car, and TV—Aptoide provides over 1 million apps to more than 430 million users.
Mobivention marketplace is a B2B-focused app store allowing EU companies to distribute internal employee apps unavailable on Apple's App Store. Additionally, the company offers customized app marketplaces for businesses seeking an exclusive platform for their corporate apps. Larger companies can even license Mobivention’s technology to further tailor the app marketplace to their specific needs.
Last March, Skich introduced an alternative app store for EU users, differentiating itself with a Tinder-like interface for app discovery. Users "swipe right" to engage with apps they might enjoy, and can also create playlists and see what others are interested in.
International App Store Launches in EU, Japan: Skich Replaced by Onside Offering Lower Commission Rates and Expanded Payment Options
Skich's existing app store has been replaced with a new platform called Onside, which launched on February 17, 2026, in the EU and Japan. The company promises developers lower rates while maintaining security features, including keeping payment information private. Initially marketed at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Onside supports bank card payments and Apple Pay, with plans to roll out additional options like iDeal, Klarna, and more in the future.
For consumers, the new app store offers a range of top apps and exclusives unavailable on other marketplaces within a familiar interface that includes traditional features such as editorial collections, ratings, reviews, and automatic updates. Onside is now available in both the EU and Japan, thanks to recently enacted regulations.
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