Move over, Apple: Meet the alternative app stores available in the EU and elsewhere | TechCrunch

"Like Apple's App Store, alternative app marketplaces on allow for easy access to a wider world of apps on Apple devices, but instead of the apps going through Apple's App Review process, the apps on these third-party marketplaces have to go through a notarization process to ensure they meet some "baseline platform integrity standards," Apple says - like being malware-free."

"To run an alternative app marketplace, developers must accept Apple's alternative business terms for DMA-compliant apps in the EU. This includes paying a new Core Technology Fee of €0.50 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's DMA business terms. Despite the complicated new rules, a handful of developers have taken advantage of the opportunity to distribute their apps outside of Apple's walls."

"Beyond the EU, other markets are experimenting with alternative app stores, as well, like Japan. In December 2025, Apple announced its compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which gives developers new options to distribute apps and process payments outside of Apple's App Store. This option also requires developers to accept new business terms, 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."

EU users can install apps from alternative app stores on Apple devices under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Third-party marketplaces must notarize apps to meet baseline platform integrity standards such as being malware-free, and each store controls its own review, approval, support, and refund policies. Developers operating marketplaces in the EU must accept Apple’s DMA business terms, including a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per first annual install for the marketplace app. Some developers have already distributed apps via alternative stores. Other jurisdictions, including Japan under the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), offer similar alternative distribution and payment-processing options with distinct fee structures.

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