Altstore PAL, the first Apple-approved third-party app store, has been launched in the EU following the Digital Markets Act. Priced at 1.50 euro per month, Altstore allows users to install rival app stores on their iPhones. The installation process is straightforward, although Apple attempts to dissuade users from choosing the competing app store. The store includes two apps, Clip and Delta, with Clip requiring a monthly Patreon pledge. Delta is a Nintendo console emulator that is available for free as a thank-you to users who paid for Altstore.
Altstore is aimed at indie developers, with developer Riley Testut hoping it becomes a top destination for apps that can’t make it into the Apple App Store. Altstore uses Apple’s new Web Distribution, allowing developers in the EU to easily distribute apps to users. Users can add “sources” to Altstore, giving them access to more apps from developers hosting on their own servers. The store also allows paid apps by using Patreon as a monetization platform to offset Apple’s core technology fee. This fee requires developers to pay for the first installation per user, and users can download the app an unlimited number of times per year.
Altstore will allow developers to communicate with users through different payment tiers and subscription models, something not allowed on the Apple App Store. Users outside of the EU can still use the store by following additional steps, which include installing AltServer. Delta, the Nintendo emulator available in Altstore, is legitimate and expected to remain on the App Store for the long term. Altstore is positioned as a platform for indie developers to showcase their apps that may not meet the criteria for approval in the official Apple App Store.
The launch of Altstore PAL marks a significant step in the opening up of the iOS ecosystem to third-party app stores, as mandated by the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Users now have the option to explore a wider range of apps and developers can reach a broader audience. Altstore’s focus on indie developers and its support for paid apps through Patreon provide a new avenue for developers to monetize their creations. The development of Altstore signals a shift towards greater diversity and competition in the iOS app ecosystem, benefiting both developers and users alike.
