AltStore Pal is the First iOS Alternative App Store in the EU
- Laurent Giret
- Apr 18, 2024
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AltStore PAL, an open-source alternative app store for independent iOS developers is now available to download for iPhone users in the EU. The EU’s Digital Markets Act recently opened the gates to alternative app stores on iOS in the EU, but AltStore PAL is having a quite modest launch with just two apps.
The first one is Delta, a free Nintendo emulator that’s also launching on Apple’s App Store today, and the second one is a paid clipboard manager named Clip. The two apps are developed by independent iOS developer Riley Testut, who is also running AltStore PAL.
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The developer said that AlStore PAL will welcome more third-party apps “once we’re sure everything is running smoothly.” For iOS users in Europe, AltStore PAL can be downloaded from the AltStore website, but it requires a €1.50/year (plus VAT) subscription to cover Apple’s Core Technology Fee, payment processing, and server costs.
“While Apple does waive the CTF for the first million installs of an app, this does not apply to app marketplaces themselves. This means every download of AltStore costs us €0.50, period,” Testut explained, adding that “this is clearly unsustainable for a free app supported entirely by donations.”
AltStore actually integrates with Patreon, the popular monetization platform that app developers can use to monetize their apps on AltStore PAL. “And to further encourage Patreon use, AltStore will take no commission on Patreon donations, allowing developers to keep the entirety of their Patreon proceeds,” Testut emphasized.
For iPhone users outside of Europe, Testut will continue to run the existing and free version of AltStore, an app store designed for sideloading that has been around for 5 years. However, AltStore requires users to install an app named AltServer on Windows or macOS to sideload apps on an iPhone.
After iOS 17.4 added support for alternative app stores in the EU, iOS 17.5 will soon allow iPhone users in the region to download apps directly from the web. However, these apps will also need to be notarized by Apple, and users will need to approve a developer to install apps on their iPhones