Folks within the European Union at the moment are allowed to entry various app shops due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation designed to foster elevated competitors within the app ecosystem. Like Apple’s App Retailer, various app marketplaces on enable for simple entry to a wider world of apps on Apple units, however as a substitute of the apps going by way of Apple’s App Evaluation course of, the apps on these third-party marketplaces should undergo a notarization course of to make sure they meet some “baseline platform integrity requirements,” Apple says — like being malware-free. Nevertheless, every retailer can evaluate and approve apps in line with its personal insurance policies. The shops are additionally answerable for any issues referring to assist and refunds, not Apple.
To run another app market, builders should settle for Apple’s various enterprise phrases for DMA-compliant apps within the EU. This consists of paying a brand new Core Know-how Price of €0.50 for every first annual set up of their market app, even earlier than the brink of 1 million installs is met, which is the bar for different EU apps distributed below Apple’s DMA enterprise phrases.
Regardless of the sophisticated new guidelines, a handful of builders have taken benefit of the chance to distribute their apps outdoors of Apple’s partitions.
Past the EU, different markets are experimenting with various app shops, as properly, like Japan. In December 2025, Apple introduced its compliance with the Cellular Software program Competitors Act (MSCA), which supplies builders new choices to distribute apps and course of funds outdoors of Apple’s App Retailer.
This selection additionally requires builders to settle for new enterprise phrases, like a decreased 10% to 21% App Retailer fee, a cost processing price for Apple in-app purchases of 5%, a core know-how price of 5%, and a 15% retailer companies fee on net gross sales made by way of a hyperlink within the app.
Under is a listing of the choice app shops iPhone customers in these markets can attempt at this time.
AltStore PAL (EU)
Co-created by developer Riley Testut, maker of the Nintendo recreation emulator app Delta, the AltStore PAL is an formally accepted various app market within the EU. The open supply app retailer will enable impartial builders to distribute their apps alongside the apps from AltStore’s makers, Delta, and a clipboard supervisor, known as Clip.
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Not like Apple’s App Retailer, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To work, builders obtain another distribution packet (ADP) and add it to their server, then create a “supply” that customers will add to the AltStore to entry their apps. Meaning the one apps you’ll see within the AltStore are these you’ve added yourselves.
Some widespread apps that customers are including embody the digital machine app UTM, which helps you to run Home windows and different software program on iOS or iPad; OldOS, a re-creation of iOS 4 that’s inbuilt SwiftUI; Kotoba, the iOS dictionary out there as a stand-alone app; torrenting app iTorrent; qBittorrent distant shopper for iOS units known as qBitControl; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop.
Setapp Cellular (EU – closed Feb. 2026)
MacPaw’s Setapp turned one of many first firms to comply with Apple’s new DMA enterprise phrases to arrange another app retailer for EU customers. Sadly, this app retailer didn’t final lengthy — the corporate introduced it could sundown the Setapp Cellular service on February 16, 2026. (Functions on Setapp Desktop weren’t affected.) The corporate cited Apple’s “still-evolving” and sophisticated enterprise phrases as the explanation for its resolution.
The corporate had lengthy supplied a subscription-based service that includes a choice of curated apps for patrons on iOS and Mac. Following the implementation of the DMA, it launched the choice app retailer for Setapp Cellular for iOS customers solely within the EU. Just like its different subscription choices, the now-shuttered app retailer had included dozens of apps below a single recurring subscription worth, and the variety of apps grew over time. The apps had been free from in-app purchases or adverts and are typically thought-about top quality. Nevertheless, it didn’t embody big-name apps like Fb, Uber, Netflix, and others.
Epic Video games Retailer (EU)
Fortnite maker Epic Video games launched its various iOS app retailer within the EU in August 2024, permitting customers to obtain video games, together with its personal Fortnite and others like Rocket League Sideswipe and Fall Guys, with extra to return. The corporate mentioned it’s additionally bringing its video games to different various app shops, together with AltStore PAL, which it’s now supporting by way of a grant, in addition to Aptoide’s iOS retailer within the EU and ONE Retailer on Android.
The transfer to launch Fortnite in various iOS marketplaces comes greater than 4 years after Apple eliminated the sport from its App Retailer over coverage violations, forward of Epic’s authorized problem to the alleged App Retailer monopoly. Whereas U.S. courts determined that Apple was not engaged in antitrust conduct, the lawsuit did pave the way in which for builders to hyperlink to their very own web sites for a decreased fee.
Aptoide (EU)
Another recreation retailer for iPhone, Lisbon-based Aptoide is an open supply answer for app distribution. The corporate, already identified for its Google Play various, says it scans the apps to make sure they’re protected to obtain and set up.
The iOS model of the Aptoide retailer launched as an invite-only beta in June 2024 earlier than turning into out there to all throughout the EU. As a free-to-use retailer, Aptoide doesn’t cost its customers to cowl its Core Know-how Price paid to Apple, however takes a ten% to twenty% fee on in-app purchases on iOS, relying on whether or not they had been generated by {the marketplace} or not.
Throughout all platforms, together with Android, net, automotive, and TV, Aptoide affords 1 million apps to its greater than 430 million customers.
Mobivention market (EU)
A B2B-focused app retailer, the Mobivention market permits EU firms to distribute their inner apps which might be utilized by staff, however can’t — or shouldn’t — be printed in Apple’s App Retailer. The corporate additionally affords the event of a custom-made app market for firms that need to supply staff their very own app retailer only for their company apps. Bigger firms may even license Mobivention’s know-how to extra deeply customise the app market to their very own wants.
Skich (EU)
Final March, Skich introduced the launch of another app retailer for EU customers, which differentiates itself by providing a Tinder-like interface for app discovery. That’s, customers swipe proper to “match” with apps they may take pleasure in. They’ll additionally create playlists and see what apps their pals are enjoying. The brand new retailer will substitute Skich’s present app and can see the corporate taking a 15% fee on all purchases. As an alternative of filling its app retailer with apps immediately, the shop marketed to builders on the Recreation Builders Convention (GDC).
Onside (EU and Japan)
Onside is another iOS app retailer out there in each the EU and, now, Japan, as of February 17, 2026, due to the brand new laws. The corporate guarantees it’ll cost builders decrease charges whereas nonetheless providing safety, together with preserving cost data non-public. The shop at present helps financial institution card funds and Apple Pay and can later roll out assist for different cost strategies like iDeal, Klarna, and extra.
For customers, Onside touts a spread of high apps and exclusives that may’t be discovered on different marketplaces inside a well-known interface that features conventional app retailer options, like editorial collections, scores and critiques, and automated updates.
