Individuals within the European Union at the moment are allowed to entry different app shops because of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation designed to foster elevated competitors within the app ecosystem. Like Apple’s App Retailer, different 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 Apple’s App Assessment course of, the apps on these third-party marketplaces need to undergo a notarization course of to make sure they meet some “baseline platform integrity requirements,” Apple says — like being malware-free. Nonetheless, every retailer can evaluate and approve apps in line with its personal insurance policies. The shops are additionally chargeable for any issues regarding assist and refunds, not Apple.
To run another app market, builders should settle for Apple’s different enterprise phrases for DMA-compliant apps within the EU. This consists of paying a brand new Core Know-how Charge 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 exterior of Apple’s partitions.
Past the EU, different markets are experimenting with different app shops, as properly, like Japan. In December 2025, Apple introduced its compliance with the Cellular Software program Competitors Act (MSCA), which provides builders new choices to distribute apps and course of funds exterior of Apple’s App Retailer.
This feature additionally requires builders to settle for new enterprise phrases, like a decreased 10% to 21% App Retailer fee, a fee processing charge for Apple in-app purchases of 5%, a core know-how charge of 5%, and a 15% retailer providers fee on internet gross sales made by a hyperlink within the app.
Under is a listing of the choice app shops iPhone customers in these markets can attempt right this moment.
AltStore PAL (EU)
Co-created by developer Riley Testut, maker of the Nintendo recreation emulator app Delta, the AltStore PAL is an formally accredited different 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, referred to as Clip.
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In contrast to 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. Which means the one apps you’ll see within the AltStore are these you’ve added yourselves.
Some in style 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 shopper for iOS units referred to as qBitControl; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop.
Setapp Cellular (EU – closed Feb. 2026)
MacPaw’s Setapp grew to become one of many first firms to conform to 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 will 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 determination.
The corporate had lengthy supplied a subscription-based service that includes a number 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. Much 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. 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 different 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 stated it’s additionally bringing its video games to different different 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 different 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 best way 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 resolution for app distribution. The corporate, already identified for its Google Play different, 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 had been generated by {the marketplace} or not.
Throughout all platforms, together with Android, internet, automobile, 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 workers, 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 provide workers 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 buddies 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 instantly, the shop marketed to builders on the Recreation Builders Convention (GDC).
Onside (EU and Japan)
Onside is another iOS app retailer accessible in each the EU and, now, Japan, as of February 17, 2026, because of the brand new rules. The corporate guarantees it is going to cost builders decrease charges whereas nonetheless providing safety, together with maintaining fee info personal. The shop at present helps financial institution card funds and Apple Pay and can later roll out assist for different fee strategies like iDeal, Klarna, and extra.
For customers, Onside touts a variety of prime 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, rankings and opinions, and computerized updates.
