People in the European Union can now access alternative app stores thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation designed to increase competition in the app ecosystem. Like Apple’s App Store, alternative app marketplaces allow Apple devices to easily access the wider world of apps, but instead of apps going through Apple’s app review process, apps from these third-party marketplaces must go through a notarization process to ensure they meet “basic platform integrity standards,” such as being free of malware, Apple says. However, each store may review and approve apps according to its own policies. Additionally, the store, not Apple, is responsible for all issues related to support and refunds.
To operate an alternative app marketplace, developers must accept Apple’s Alternative Business Terms for DMA-compatible apps in the EU. This includes paying a new core technology fee of €0.50 for each first annual install of a Marketplace app, even before the 1 million installs threshold is met, which is the threshold for other EU apps distributed under Apple’s DMA business terms.
Despite the complex new rules, a few developers have taken advantage of the opportunity to distribute their apps outside of Apple.
Besides the EU, other markets such as Japan are also experimenting with alternative app stores. In December 2025, Apple announced compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), giving developers new options to distribute apps and process payments outside of the Apple App Store.
This option also requires developers to accept new business terms, including a reduction in App Store fees from 10% to 21%, a 5% payment processing fee for Apple in-app purchases, a 5% core technology fee, and a 15% Store Services fee for web sales made through app links.
Below is a list of alternative app stores currently available for iPhone users in your market.
AltStore PAL(EU)
Co-created by developer Riley Testut, creator of the Nintendo game emulator app Delta, AltStore PAL is an officially approved alternative app marketplace in the EU. The open source app store allows independent developers to distribute their apps, along with apps from Delta, the maker of AltStore, and a clipboard manager called Clip.
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Unlike Apple’s App Store, AltStore apps are self-hosted by developers. To do this, developers download an Alternative Distribution Packet (ADP), upload it to a server, and then create a “source” to add to the AltStore for users to access the app. This means that the only apps you see in AltStore are the ones you added yourself.
Some popular apps that users are adding include UTM, a virtual machine app that lets you run Windows and other software on iOS or iPad. OldOS, a reinvention of iOS 4 built into SwiftUI; Kotoba torrent app iTorrent, an iOS dictionary available as a standalone app; qBittorrent remote client for iOS devices called qBitControl; and PeopleDrop, a social search platform.
Setapp Mobile (EU – closure in February 2026)
MacPaw’s Setapp has become one of the first companies to agree to Apple’s new DMA business terms to set up an alternative app store for EU users. Unfortunately, this app store did not last long. The company announced that it will shut down its Setapp Mobile service on February 16, 2026. (Applications in Setapp Desktop were not affected.) The company cited Apple’s “still evolving” and complex business conditions as the reason for its decision.
The company has long offered a subscription-based service with a selection of apps for iOS and Mac customers. Following the implementation of DMA, we have launched an alternative app store for Setapp Mobile for iOS users only in the EU. Like other subscription services, the now-closed App Store contained dozens of apps for the price of a single subscription, and the number of apps grew over time. The app had no in-app purchases or ads and was generally considered to be of high quality. However, popular apps such as Facebook, Uber, Netflix, etc. are not included.
Epic Games Store (EU)
Fortnite maker Epic Games will launch an alternative iOS app store in the EU in August 2024, allowing users to download games including its own Fortnite and games like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys. The company said it will also make the game available to other alternative app stores, including the Aptoide iOS store in the EU and the ONE Store on Android, as well as AltStore PAL, which it is currently supporting through subsidies.
The move to release Fortnite on an alternative iOS marketplace comes more than four years after Apple removed the game from the App Store due to policy violations. This came before Epic filed a legal challenge to its App Store exclusivity claims. Although a U.S. court ruled that Apple had not engaged in antitrust conduct, the lawsuit opened the way for developers to link to their own websites to reduce their fees.
Aptoide (EU)
Lisbon-based Aptoide, an alternative game store for iPhone, is an open source solution for app distribution. Already known as a Google Play alternative, the company says it scans apps to ensure they are safe to download and install.
The iOS version of the Aptoide store will be available across the EU after launching in an invitation-only beta in June 2024. As a free store, Aptoide doesn’t charge users to cover the core technology costs it pays to Apple, but it does take a 10-20% commission on in-app purchases on iOS, depending on whether they are made in the marketplace or not.
Aptoide offers 1 million apps to more than 430 million users across all platforms, including Android, web, car, and TV.
Mobivention Marketplace (EU)
The Mobivention Marketplace, a B2B-focused app store, allows EU businesses to distribute internal apps that their employees use but that cannot or should not be published on the Apple App Store. The company also offers custom app marketplace development for businesses that want to provide their employees with their own app store just for company apps. Large enterprises can also license Mobivention’s technology to further customize the app marketplace to their needs.
Skich (EU)
Last March, Skich announced the launch of an alternative app store for EU users. This app store differentiates itself by offering a Tinder-like interface for app discovery. This means that users swipe right to ‘match’ apps they might like. You can also create playlists and see what apps your friends are playing. The new store will replace Skich’s existing app, and the company will receive a 15% commission on all purchases. Instead of immediately filling the app store with apps, we marketed to developers at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).
Onside (EU and Japan)
Onside is an alternative iOS app store that will be available in both the EU and Japan as of February 17, 2026, under new regulations. The company promised to charge developers lower rates while keeping payment information private and secure. The store currently supports bank card payments and Apple Pay, and will later roll out support for other payment methods such as iDeal, Klarna, etc.
For consumers, Onside introduces a variety of top and exclusive apps not found in other marketplaces, all within a familiar interface that includes traditional app store features like editor collections, ratings and reviews, and automatic updates.
