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 permit for straightforward entry to a wider world of apps on Apple units, however as an alternative of the apps going by means of Apple’s App Overview course of, the apps on these third-party marketplaces should undergo a notarization process to make sure they meet some “baseline platform integrity requirements,” Apple says — like being malware-free. Nonetheless, every retailer can assessment and approve apps in line with its personal insurance policies. The shops are additionally chargeable for any issues referring to help and refunds, not Apple.
To run an alternate app market, builders should settle for Apple’s various enterprise phrases for DMA-compliant apps within the EU. This contains paying a new Core Technology Fee of €0.50 for every first annual set up of their market app, even earlier than the edge of 1 million installs is met, which is the bar for different EU apps distributed beneath 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 effectively, like Japan. In December 2025, Apple announced 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 accept new business terms, like a lowered 10% to 21% App Retailer fee, a cost processing payment for Apple in-app purchases of 5%, a core expertise payment of 5%, and a 15% retailer providers fee on internet gross sales made by means 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 source app retailer will permit impartial builders to distribute their apps alongside the apps from AltStore’s makers, Delta, and a clipboard manager, called Clip.
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In contrast to Apple’s App Retailer, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To work, builders obtain an alternate distribution packet (ADP) and add it to their server, then create a “supply” that customers will add to the AltStore to entry their apps. Which means the one apps you’ll see within the AltStore are these you’ve added yourselves.
Some standard 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 in-built SwiftUI; Kotoba, the iOS dictionary accessible as a stand-alone app; torrenting app iTorrent; qBittorrent distant consumer for iOS units known as qBitControl; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop.
Setapp Cellular (EU – closed Feb. 2026)
MacPaw’s Setapp grew to become one of many first corporations to conform to Apple’s new DMA enterprise phrases to arrange an alternate app retailer for EU customers. Sadly, this app retailer didn’t final lengthy — the corporate introduced it could sunset the Setapp Mobile service on February 16, 2026. (Purposes on Setapp Desktop weren’t affected.) The corporate cited Apple’s “still-evolving” and sophisticated enterprise phrases as the rationale for its determination.
The corporate had lengthy provided a subscription-based service that includes a collection of curated apps for patrons on iOS and Mac. Following the implementation of the DMA, it launched the choice app retailer for Setapp Mobile for iOS customers solely within the EU. Much like its different subscription choices, the now-shuttered app retailer had included dozens of apps beneath a single recurring subscription value, and the variety of apps grew over time. The apps have been free from in-app purchases or adverts and are usually thought of top quality. Nonetheless, 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 come back. 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 habits, the lawsuit did pave the best way for builders to hyperlink to their very own web sites for a lowered fee.
Aptoide (EU)
Another recreation retailer for iPhone, Lisbon-based Aptoide is an open supply resolution 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 accessible to all throughout the EU. As a free-to-use retailer, Aptoide doesn’t cost its customers to cowl its Core Know-how Charge paid to Apple, however takes a ten% to twenty% fee on in-app purchases on iOS, relying on whether or not they have been generated by {the marketplace} or not.
Throughout all platforms, together with Android, internet, automotive, and TV, Aptoide gives 1 million apps to its greater than 430 million customers.
Mobivention market (EU)
A B2B-focused app retailer, the Mobivention market permits EU corporations to distribute their inside apps which can be utilized by staff, however can’t — or shouldn’t — be printed in Apple’s App Retailer. The corporate additionally gives the event of a custom-made app market for corporations that need to provide staff their very own app retailer only for their company apps. Bigger corporations may even license Mobivention’s expertise to extra deeply customise the app market to their very own wants.
Skich (EU)
Final March, Skich introduced the launch of an alternate 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 will additionally create playlists and see what apps their mates are taking part in. The brand new retailer will change Skich’s current 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 Sport Builders Convention (GDC).
Onside (EU and Japan)
Onside is an alternate iOS app retailer accessible in each the EU and, now, Japan, as of February 17, 2026, due to the brand new laws. The corporate guarantees it can cost builders decrease charges whereas nonetheless providing safety, together with preserving cost data non-public. The shop presently helps financial institution card funds and Apple Pay and can later roll out help for different cost strategies like iDeal, Klarna, and extra.
For shoppers, Onside touts a variety of prime apps and exclusives that may’t be discovered on different marketplaces inside a well-recognized interface that features conventional app retailer options, like editorial collections, rankings and opinions, and automated updates.
