Thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation designed to promote increased competition in the app ecosystem, individuals in the European Union can now access alternative app stores. The DMA allows for the existence of alternative app marketplaces, which provide easy access to a broader range of apps, similar to Apple’s App Store. However, instead of undergoing Apple’s App Review process, apps on these third-party marketplaces must go through a notarization process to ensure they meet certain “baseline platform integrity standards,” as stated by Apple. This process verifies that the apps are free from malware and meet specific criteria. Each store is responsible for reviewing and approving apps according to its own policies, as well as handling support and refund matters, which are not overseen by Apple.

To operate an alternative app marketplace, developers must accept Apple’s alternative business terms for DMA-compliant apps in the EU. This includes paying a new Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for each first annual install of their marketplace app, regardless of whether the threshold of 1 million installs is met. This fee is a requirement for all developers who wish to distribute their apps through alternative app stores in the EU.

Despite the complexity of the new rules, several developers have taken advantage of the opportunity to distribute their apps outside of Apple’s ecosystem. This shift has led to the emergence of alternative app stores that cater to the needs of EU users.

Below is a list of alternative app stores that iPhone users in the EU can explore. These stores offer a range of apps, from games to productivity tools, and provide users with more options for discovering and downloading content.

AltStore PAL

Co-created by developer Riley Testut, the maker of the Nintendo game emulator app Delta, AltStore PAL is an officially approved alternative app marketplace in the EU. As an open-source app store, AltStore PAL enables independent developers to distribute their apps alongside those from AltStore’s makers, including Delta and a clipboard manager called Clip. The store’s open-source nature allows for community involvement and transparency in the app review process.

Unlike Apple’s App Store, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To use the store, developers download an alternative distribution packet (ADP) and upload it to their server, then create a “source” that users will add to the AltStore to access their apps. This approach gives developers more control over the distribution of their apps and allows users to access a wider range of content.

Some popular apps that users are adding to AltStore include the virtual machine app UTM, which allows users to run Windows and other software on iOS or iPad; OldOS, a re-creation of iOS 4 built in SwiftUI; Kotoba, the iOS dictionary available as a standalone app; torrenting app iTorrent; qBittorrent remote client for iOS devices called qBitControl; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop. These apps demonstrate the diversity of content available on AltStore and the potential for users to discover new and innovative apps.

Setapp Mobile

MacPaw’s Setapp became one of the first companies to agree to Apple’s new DMA business terms, allowing it to set up an alternative app store for EU users. The company has long offered a subscription-based service featuring a selection of curated apps for customers on iOS and Mac. Following the implementation of the DMA, it released Setapp Mobile, an alternative app store for iOS users only in the EU. The store includes dozens of apps under a single recurring subscription price, with the number of apps growing over time. The apps are free from in-app purchases or ads and are generally considered high quality, although they do not include big-name apps like Facebook, Uber, or Netflix.

Setapp Mobile is available to users on the “Power User” and “AI Expert” Setapp subscription plans for free. Alternatively, users can sign up via a new “iOS Advanced” plan that includes both the iOS app from Setapp’s main subscription and Setapp Mobile at $9.99/€9.49 monthly or $107.88/€102.48 yearly. This pricing model provides users with flexibility and options for accessing the content they need.

In addition, all Setapp subscribers (except for “Family” and “Teams”) can try Setapp Mobile for free during the invite-only beta period, allowing them to experience the benefits of the alternative app store before committing to a subscription.

Epic Games Store

Fortnite maker Epic Games launched its alternative iOS app store in the EU, 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’s also bringing its games to other alternative app stores, including AltStore PAL, which it’s now supporting via a grant, as well as Aptoide’s iOS store in the EU and ONE Store on Android. This move marks a significant development in the app ecosystem, as Epic Games expands its reach and offers users more choices for accessing their favorite games.

The launch of Fortnite in the alternative iOS marketplace comes more than four years after Apple removed the game from its App Store over policy violations, ahead of Epic’s legal challenge to the alleged App Store monopoly. While U.S. courts decided that Apple was not engaged in antitrust behavior, the lawsuit did pave the way for developers to link to their own websites for a reduced commission, promoting greater competition and innovation in the app market.

Aptoide

An alternative game store for iPhone, Lisbon-based Aptoide is an open-source solution for app distribution. The company, already known for its Google Play alternative, says it scans the apps to ensure they are safe to download and install, providing users with a secure experience.

The iOS version of the Aptoide store launched as an invite-only beta in June, and users can put their email on a waitlist to get the access code. As a free-to-use store, Aptoide doesn’t charge its users to cover its Core Technology Fee paid to Apple, but takes a 10% to 20% commission on in-app purchases on iOS, depending on whether they were generated by the marketplace or not. This revenue model allows Aptoide to maintain its operations while providing users with a wide range of apps.

Across all platforms, including Android, web, car, and TV, Aptoide offers 1 million apps to its over 430 million users, making it a significant player in the app ecosystem. The company’s commitment to providing a secure and diverse range of apps has contributed to its success and popularity among users.

Mobivention marketplace

A B2B-focused app store, the Mobivention marketplace allows EU companies to distribute their internal apps that are used by employees but can’t – or shouldn’t – be published in Apple’s App Store. The company also offers the development of a customized app marketplace for companies that want to offer employees their own app store just for their corporate apps. Larger companies can even license Mobivention’s technology to more deeply customize the app marketplace to their own needs, providing a tailored solution for their specific requirements.

Skich

In 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. Users can swipe right to “match” with apps they might enjoy, creating a more engaging and interactive experience. They can also create playlists and see what apps their friends are playing, adding a social element to the app discovery process. The new store will replace Skich’s existing app and will see the company taking a 15% commission on all purchases. Although the store has not yet filled with apps, it will market the offering to developers at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and hopes to add titles later in March, providing a platform for developers to showcase their content.