People in the European Union are now allowed access to alternative app stores thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation that aims to encourage increased competition in the app ecosystem. Like Apple’s App Store, alternative app marketplaces on Apple devices provide easy access to the wider world of apps, but instead of going through the Apple App Review process, apps on these third-party marketplaces must go through a notarization process to ensure they meet some “core standards of platform integrity,” Apple says — such as being malware-free. However, each store can review and approve applications according to their own policies. Stores are also responsible for any support and refund issues, not Apple.
In order to run an alternative app marketplace, developers must accept Apple’s alternative terms of business for EU DMA-compatible apps. This includes paying a new basic technology fee of €0.50 for each first annual install of their app from the marketplace, before reaching the 1 million install mark, which is the limit for other EU apps distributed under Apple’s DMA terms of business.
Despite the complicated new rules, a handful of developers took the opportunity to distribute their apps outside of Apple’s walls.
Outside the EU, other markets such as Japan are also experimenting with alternative app stores. In December 2025, Apple announced its compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which gives 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, 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 an in-app link.
Below is a list of alternative app stores that iPhone users in these markets can try today.
AltStore PAL (EU)
AltStore PAL, co-created by developer Riley Testut, creator of the Nintendo Delta game emulator app, 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 creators AltStore, Delta, and a clipboard manager called Clip.
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Unlike the Apple App Store, AltStore apps are hosted by the developer themselves. To make it work, developers download an Alternative Distribution Package (ADP) and upload it to their server, then create a “resource” that users add to the AltStore to access their apps. This means that the only apps you’ll see in the AltStore are the ones you’ve added yourself.
Popular apps that users add include the UTM virtual machine app that lets you run Windows and other software on iOS or iPad; OldOS, a re-creation of iOS 4 that is built in SwiftUI; Kotoba, an iOS dictionary available as a standalone app; torrenting application iTorrent; A remote qBittorrent client for iOS devices called qBitControl; and social 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 set up an alternative app store for EU users. Unfortunately, that app deal didn’t last long — the company announced that it would end Setapp Mobile on February 16, 2026. (Apps on Setapp Desktop were not affected.) The company cited Apple’s “ever-evolving” and complex business terms as the reason for its decision.
The company has long offered a subscription-based service with a selection of select apps for iOS and Mac customers. After implementation, DMA released an alternative app store for Setapp Mobile for EU iOS users only. Similar to other subscription offers, the now-defunct app store included dozens of apps for one recurring subscription price, and the number of apps grew over time. The apps have no in-app purchases or ads and are 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)
Fortnite maker Epic Games 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 bringing its games to other alternative app stores, including PAL’s AltStore, which it now supports through a grant, as well as Aptoide for iOS in the EU and ONE Store for Android.
The move to bring Fortnite to alternative iOS marketplaces comes more than four years after Apple removed the game from its App Store for policy violations, ahead of Epic’s legal challenge against the alleged App Store monopoly. While US courts ruled that Apple was not engaged in antitrust behavior, the lawsuit paved the way for developers to link to their own websites for a reduced commission.
Aptoide (EU)
Lisbon-based Aptoide, an alternative game store for the iPhone, is an open source app distribution solution. The company, already known for its Google Play alternative, says it checks apps to make sure they’re safe to download and install.
The iOS version of the Aptoide store launched as an invite-only beta in June 2024, before being made available across the EU. As a free-to-use store, Aptoide does not charge its users the core technology fee paid to Apple, but takes a 10% to 20% commission on iOS in-app purchases, depending on whether they were generated by the marketplace or not.
Across all platforms, including Android, web, car and TV, Aptoide offers 1 million apps to its more than 430 million users.
Mobile phone market (EU)
Marketplace Mobivention, a B2B app store, allows EU companies to distribute their internal apps that are used by employees but cannot – or should not – be published on Apple’s App Store. The company also offers custom app marketplace development for companies that want to offer employees a custom app store just for their company apps. Larger companies can even license Mobivention’s technology to further customize the app market to their own needs.
Skich (EU)
Last March, Skich announced the launch of an alternative app store for EU users that differentiates itself by offering a Tinder-like interface for app discovery. This means users swipe right to ‘pair’ with apps they might like. They can also create playlists and see what apps their friends are playing. The new store will replace the existing Skich app and the company will have a 15% commission on all purchases. Instead of filling his app store with apps right away, he sold the store to developers at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).
On the side (EU and Japan)
Onside is an alternative iOS app store available from February 17, 2026 in the EU and now in Japan thanks to new regulations. The company promises to charge developers lower rates while offering security, including keeping payment information confidential. The store currently supports payments by bank cards and Apple Pay, and will later introduce support for other payment methods such as iDeal, Klarna and others.
For consumers, Onside offers a variety of premium apps and exclusive offers not found in other marketplaces within a familiar interface that includes traditional app store features such as editorial collections, ratings and reviews, and automatic updates.