{"id":2838099,"date":"2026-02-22T01:00:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T09:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/?p=2838099"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:57:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:57:31","slug":"move-over-apple-meet-the-alternative-app-stores-available-in-the-eu-and-elsewhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/02\/22\/move-over-apple-meet-the-alternative-app-stores-available-in-the-eu-and-elsewhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Move over, Apple: Meet the alternative app stores available in the EU and elsewhere"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

People in the European Union are now allowed to access alternative app stores thanks to the Digital Markets Act<\/a> (DMA), a regulation designed to foster increased competition<\/a> in the app ecosystem. Like Apple\u2019s App Store, alternative app marketplaces allow for easy access to a wider world of apps on Apple devices, but instead of the apps going through Apple\u2019s App Review process, the apps on these third-party marketplaces have to go through a notarization process<\/a> to ensure they meet some \u201cbaseline platform integrity standards,\u201d Apple says<\/a> \u2014 like being malware-free. However, each store can review and approve apps according to its own policies. The stores are also responsible for any matters relating to support and refunds, not Apple.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

To run an alternative app marketplace, developers must accept Apple\u2019s alternative business terms for DMA-compliant apps in the EU. This includes paying a new Core Technology Fee of \u20ac0.50<\/a> for each first annual install of their marketplace app, even before the threshold of 1 million installs is met, which is the bar for other EU apps distributed under Apple\u2019s DMA business terms. <\/p>\n\n

Despite the complicated new rules, a handful of developers have taken advantage of the opportunity to distribute their apps outside of Apple\u2019s walls. <\/p>\n\n

Beyond the EU, other markets are experimenting with alternative app stores, as well, like Japan. In December 2025, Apple announced its compliance<\/a> with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which gives developers new options to distribute apps and process payments outside of Apple’s App Store.<\/p>\n\n

This option also requires developers to accept new business terms<\/a>, like a reduced 10% to 21% App Store commission, a payment processing fee for Apple in-app purchases of 5%, a core technology fee of 5%, and a 15% store services commission on web sales made through a link in the app.<\/p>\n\n

Below is a list of the alternative app stores iPhone users in these markets can try today. <\/p>\n\n

AltStore PAL (EU)<\/h2>\n\n
\"AltStore
Image Credits:<\/strong>AltStore<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Co-created by developer Riley Testut, maker of the Nintendo game emulator app Delta<\/a>, AltStore PAL is an officially approved alternative app marketplace in the EU. The open source<\/a> app store will allow independent developers to distribute their apps alongside the apps from AltStore\u2019s makers, Delta, and a clipboard manager, called Clip<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Unlike Apple\u2019s App Store, AltStore apps are self-hosted by the developer. To work, developers download an alternative distribution packet (ADP) and upload it to their server, then create a \u201csource\u201d that users will add to the AltStore to access their apps. That means the only apps you\u2019ll see in the AltStore are those you\u2019ve added yourselves. <\/p>\n\n

Some popular apps that users are adding<\/a> include the virtual machine app UTM<\/a>, which lets you run Windows and other software on iOS or iPad; OldOS<\/a>, a re-creation of iOS 4 that\u2019s built in SwiftUI; Kotoba<\/a>, the iOS dictionary available as a stand-alone app; torrenting app iTorrent<\/a>; qBittorrent remote client for iOS devices called qBitControl<\/a>; and social discovery platform PeopleDrop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Setapp Mobile (EU – closed February 2026)<\/h2>\n\n
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Image Credits:<\/strong>Setapp<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

MacPaw\u2019s Setapp became one of the first companies to agree to Apple\u2019s new DMA business terms<\/a> to set up an alternative app store for EU users. Unfortunately, this app store didn’t last long \u2014 the company announced it would sunset the Setapp Mobile service<\/a> on February 16, 2026. (Applications on Setapp Desktop weren’t affected.) MacPaw stated that \u201cstill-evolving and complex business terms that don\u2019t fit Setapp\u2019s current business model\u201d are the reason for its decision.<\/p>\n\n

The company had 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 the alternative app store for Setapp Mobile<\/a> for iOS users only in the EU. Similar to its other subscription offerings, the now-shuttered app store had included dozens of apps under a single recurring subscription price, and the number of apps grew over time. The apps were free from in-app purchases or ads and are generally considered high quality. However, it didn’t include big-name apps like Facebook, Uber, Netflix, and others. <\/p>\n\n

Epic Games Store (EU)<\/h2>\n\n
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