Apple’s iOS app store has been the only iOS provider for years, providing more than 1.54 million apps to millions of users worldwide. Apple has had a monopoly over application sharing for many years, until the EU forced Apple to allow third-party marketplaces, which opened the market for many alternatives to iOS app store platforms.
Citizens of the EU have full access to numerous alternatives to the iOS app store, and here we bring you the top 10 picks for you to explore. If you are living outside the EU, downloading apps from alternative marketplaces may require a few additional steps on the path to enjoy a world of numerous apps.
The number one reason why you should try iOS app store alternatives is the access to a large database of apps that are not available through the official marketplace, which increases the chance you will find something that suits you best. If you are planning to develop an iOS app, testing it on these alternative stores would be a great idea before posting to the iOS store.
The Best iOS App Store Alternatives
1- Epic Games Store
Being the second-largest iOS app store, the Epic Games store offers a large base of apps and games for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, to more than 270 million users worldwide. Epic Games store was launched to distribute the popular Fortnite game after it was removed from the official Apple store. The reason? Probably to bypass the 30% commission Apple has on paid apps.
Today, the Epic Games store offers a selection of more than 2900 free and paid games for mobile iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads, with both popular titles and lesser-known ones. The game collection continuously expands, so this is a great alternative for player enthusiasts who are looking for engaging and popular titles.
2- Aptoide iOS
A very specific alternative app store on this list is the Aptoide iOS store, which works on a case-by-case approval (for now, at least). Once you register and apply to download, you will receive a download code to your email. This decentralized app store allows the user to search their full library via the search bar option.
The advantages of using this store are the cross-platform functionality and access to apps that don’t appear anywhere else, due to its less strict approval policy. More than one million apps are available at a glance – after you make an account and register. For now, this is only required for iOS-powered devices, since iOS availability is still kept as a closed launch.
3- AltStore PAL
AltStore PAL came as an alternative to the original AltStore that was launched before Apple was forced to allow third-party app marketplaces. At the moment, this app store is available only for EU users, with ambitions to expand to Japan, Brazil, and Australia. This store offers applications that are not available through the official Apple App Store, with four core features – UTM SE, iTorrent, qBitControl, and PeopleDrop.
UTM SE allows running Windows and Linux OS on iOS devices, iTorrent serves for sharing and downloading various files across the internet, qBitControl is an app for managing the desktop version of qBittorrent, and the PoepleDrop is a dating app – a unique feature that helps you find people nearby. An extra feature is Delta, the developers’ favorite one, which allows playing retro games.
4- TutuApp
TutuApp marketplace offers mostly modified versions of popular apps and games, with additional features and unlocked free content that is not available within the original app version. Even though this is very convenient, some of the changes may not be authorized by the official developers, so be aware of that.
This marketplace has a free and VIP (paid) version. The difference is in certificates – the free version runs on enterprise versions, which can be revoked at any time. The cost of the VIP version depends on the billing period – $16.99 for one year, $25.99 for four years, and $29.99 for a lifetime licence. Be aware that the licence is device-tied, meaning one licence – one device.
5- Setapp
Setapp started as a marketplace for Mac devices and expanded their offer to mobile applications as well. Their policy is to offer only top-tier applications that are hand-picked to be without additional in-app purchases, advertisements, or any harmful content. This way, they provide only the highest quality apps to their users.
But the quality of the available apps does come with a price. After a 7-day free trial period, you’ll need to choose a subscription tier – $12.49 per month or $11.24 per month if paid annually. For this price, you can connect up to 4 iOS devices and one Mac device and enjoy applications across all your devices with one subscription.
6- Skich
Skich is a well-known among Android gamers, but their iOS app library is rather small – under 100 games are offered at this moment. However, they deserve to be on this list because of their potential to mirror the success they had with the Android marketplace version.
The focus is entirely on the mobile games, and only the top-quality ones find their place on this marketplace. From the developer’s angle, Skich is a more affordable option with only 15% commission fee compared to 30% Apple fee in the US and the 20% cut in the EU. A smaller library allows better and faster positioning and client retention.
7- Scarlet
Scarlet is a popular iOS marketplace among users due to the fact that it offers tweaked apps with numerous customization options. They run on enterprise certificates, which is a downside since they can be revoked at any time, but hey, why don’t you enjoy the fun while it lasts?
The platform is entirely free to use, and it has a very simple and intuitive interface design. In addition, it does not require you to make an account to download the apps and use them. However, if you are suddenly experiencing any issues loading or accessing the app, that is usually a sign that the certificate has been revoked, and the app will not work anymore.
8- SideStore
SideStore is a marketplace that was created and imagined as an alternative to the AltStore. It eliminates the uncertainty regarding the enterprise certificates by using your Apple ID to sign apps via Apple’s sideloading allowance. This allows greater stability and fewer surprise crashes.
However, this comes with a downside, so you must carefully plan your downloads. Before it can be used on mobile devices, the SideStore re queries desktop sign-in. The Apple ID is limited to three apps only, and the apps need to be refreshed every 7 days (requirement only for free accounts).
9- BuildStore
BuildStore is a marketplace that has no free version – to use it, you are required to pay a yearly subscription fee. Even though the apps on this marketplace run with enterprise certificates, when they are revoked, the BuildStore replaces them, which allows an uninterrupted user experience.
BuildStore was imagined as a plug-and-play marketplace, and is great for everyone prioritising convenience. The app library is updated daily, and there are apps in different categories that satisfy even the most demanding users.
10- AppDB
With its huge app and game library, AppDB marketplace is the most flexible alternative to the iOS app store. However, the flexibility comes with a price in terms of a complex interface that is not the most user-friendly one you can encounter. However, if you do have experience with marketplaces that are alternatives to the iOS app store, you’ll have fewer problems navigating the platform.
AppDB offers the most possibilities to users who are seeking advanced features and more complex options. There are free and paid versions, but most features and apps are available through the free version.
How to Install If You Are Inside the EU?
If you are living in the EU, you are privileged to enjoy alternative marketplaces without having to use a VPN or jailbreak your iOS device. The only requirement is that you have the latest OS update, meaning that you need to have iOS 17.4 or later for iPhone, and iPadOS 18 or later for iPad.
Through your selected browser, you need to find the marketplace you’d like to install, locate the download link or button, and simply click it. If this is your first time installing third-party apps, you will most likely get a notification asking to allow apps from the selected developer (and you need to approve it).
After you confirm all the permissions, the installation process will begin and be completed in no time, allowing you to run the marketplace and start searching the library. This process is the same regardless of what type of marketplace you’d like to install.
What If You Are Outside the EU?
If you are living outside the EU, the law does not affect you, meaning Apple is not forced to allow downloading from third-party marketplaces and still holds a monopoly. The iOS app store really does offer endless possibilities, and there are apps for everyone, but if you are keen to use alternative marketplaces, there is a way, but you would need to install a VPN.
The first step is finding a reliable VPN service and subscribing. We suggest using NordVPN because they offer services for iPhone and iPad users. Within the app, you’d need to change your location to any country that is part of the EU, and then you can proceed to the next step.
Before downloading an alternative marketplace, make sure the location services option on your device is turned off (Settings – Privacy & Security – Location Services). Some marketplaces may need your Apple ID to sign in, so before proceeding further, make sure to change the location of your store in the Apple App Store.
After successfully completing all the aforementioned steps, you may proceed with downloading the marketplace and enjoying full access to thousands of apps that are not available on the official Apple marketplace.
Conclusion
Even thought the official Apple’s official app store really offers a vast number of options for even the most demanding users, with millions of apps in numerous categories, sometimes it is good to take a turn and explore alternative marketplaces that may offer more personalized and niche apps and games.
The market is constantly evolving and changing, and so are the available marketplaces and their subscription models. We always recommend trying one or more alternatives. In case you don’t find what you are looking for (even though we highly doubt that), you can always return to the official iOS app store.
