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

People in the European Union are now allowed to access alternative app stores thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a system designed to foster increased competition in the app ecosystem. Like Apple’s App Store, alternative app marketplaces allow easy access to a broader universe of apps on Apple devices, but instead of apps going through Apple’s app review process, apps in these third-party marketplaces must go through a certification process to ensure they meet some “essential platform safety standards,” Apple says — such as being malware-free. However, each store can review and approve apps according to its own policies. Stores are also responsible for any support and refund matters, not Apple.

To operate an alternative app marketplace, developers must accept Apple’s alternative business terms for EU DMA-compliant apps. This includes paying a new core technology fee of €0.50 per first annual installation of their Marketplace app, even before meeting the 1 million installs threshold, which is the maximum for other EU apps distributed under Apple’s DMA business terms.

Despite the complex new rules, a few developers took advantage of the opportunity to distribute their apps outside Apple’s walls.

Outside the EU, other markets are experimenting with alternative app stores as well, such as Japan. In December 2025, Apple announced compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which gives developers new options for distributing apps and processing payments outside of Apple’s App Store.

This option also requires developers to accept new business terms, such as a reduced App Store commission of 10% to 21%, a 5% payment processing fee for Apple in-app purchases, a 5% core technology fee, and a 15% Store Services commission on web sales made through a link in the app.

Here is a list of alternative app stores that iPhone users in these markets can try today.

AltStore PAL (EU)

AltStore PAL was created by developer Riley Testut, maker of the Nintendo Delta game emulator app, and is an officially approved alternative app marketplace in the EU. The open source app store will allow independent developers to distribute their apps alongside apps from the makers of AltStore, Delta, and a clipboard manager called Clip.

Unlike Apple’s App Store, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To work, developers download an Alternative Distribution Package (ADP) and upload it to their server, then create a “source” that users add to the AltStore to access their applications. This means that the only apps you’ll see in the AltStore are the ones you added yourself.

Some common apps added by users include the UTM Virtual Machine app, which lets you run Windows and other software on iOS or iPad; OldOS, a rebuild of iOS 4 built into SwiftUI; Kotoba, an iOS dictionary available as a standalone app; iTorrent torrent application; The remote qBittorrent client for iOS devices is called qBitControl; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop.

Setapp Mobile (EU – closed February 2026)

MacPaw’s Setapp has become one of the first companies to agree to Apple’s new DMA business terms to create an alternative App Store for EU users. Unfortunately, that App Store was short-lived, as the company announced it would discontinue Setapp Mobile on February 16, 2026. (Apps on Setapp Desktop were not affected.) The company cited Apple’s “still evolving” complex business terminology as the reason for its decision.

The company has long offered a subscription-based service featuring a selection of curated apps for customers on iOS and Mac. After implementing the DMA, it released the App Store replacement for Setapp Mobile for iOS users only in the EU. Similar to other subscription offerings, the now-defunct App Store had dozens of apps under one recurring subscription price, and the number of apps grew over time. The apps were free of in-app purchases or ads and generally considered to be of high quality. However, it did not include big-name apps like Facebook, Uber, Netflix, and others.

Epic Games Store (EU)

Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, launched its alternative iOS app store in the EU in August 2024, allowing users to download games, including its own Fortnite and others like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, with more to come. The company said it is also offering its games to other alternative app stores, including AltStore PAL, which it now supports through a grant, as well as Aptoide’s iOS store in the EU and the ONE Store on Android.

The move to launch Fortnite in alternative iOS markets comes more than four years after Apple removed the game from its App Store due to policy violations, ahead of Epic’s legal challenge to its alleged App Store monopoly. While US courts decided that Apple was not engaging in antitrust conduct, the lawsuit paved the way for developers to link to their websites in exchange for a reduced commission.

Aptoide (EU)

An alternative game store for iPhone, Lisbon-based Aptoide is an open source app distribution solution. The company, already known as a Google Play alternative, says it checks apps to ensure they are safe to download and install.

The iOS version of the Aptoide Store launched as an invitation-only beta in June 2024 before becoming available throughout the European Union. As a free-to-use store, Aptoide does not charge its users any fees to cover the underlying technology fees paid to Apple, but takes a 10% to 20% commission on in-app purchases on iOS, depending on whether they are generated by the Marketplace or not.

Across all platforms, including Android, web, automotive, and TV, Aptoide offers 1 million apps to more than 430 million users.

Mobility market (EU)

Mobivention, a B2B-focused app store, allows EU companies to distribute their internal apps that employees use, but can’t — or shouldn’t — be published in Apple’s App Store. The company also offers custom app marketplace development for companies that want to provide employees with their own app store for company apps only. Larger companies can also license Mobivention’s technology to more deeply customize the app marketplace to suit their specific needs.

Sketch (EU)

Last March, Skich announced the launch of an alternative app store for EU users, which differentiates itself by offering a Tinder-like interface for app discovery. This means users swipe right to “match” with apps they might enjoy. They can also create playlists and see what apps their friends are playing. The new store will replace the existing Skich app and will see the company earn a 15% commission on all purchases. Instead of filling its App Store with apps right away, the store marketed to developers at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

On the side (EU and Japan)

Onside is an alternative iOS App Store available in both the EU and now Japan as of February 17, 2026, thanks to new regulations. The company promises that it will charge developers lower prices while still providing security, including keeping payment information private. The store currently supports payment by bank cards and Apple Pay and will later provide support for other payment methods such as iDeal, Klarna and more.

For consumers, Onside promotes a collection of the best apps and exclusive offers that can’t be found on other marketplaces within a familiar interface that includes traditional App Store features, such as editorial collections, ratings and reviews, and automatic updates.