AltStore PAL becomes the first alternative app store for iOS devices

Thanks to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which arm-twisted Apple to allow users download apps from competing stores, AltStore PAL has become the first third-party app store for iOS devices to make its foray in the European market.

Leveraging Apple's new Web Distribution system, AltStore PAL is now available for download to EU residents running iOS 17.4 or a later OS version, offering an alternative way to explore apps beyond the confines of the Apple App Store.

AltStore PAL is also open to submissions from other developers. Unlike the App Store, AltStore takes a decentralized approach, allowing developers to self-host their apps on their own servers. Think of it as a marketplace where developers can set up their own stalls.

There is, however, a catch. Installing AltStore PAL requires a €1.50 (plus tax) annual subscription to cover Apple's Core Technology Fee (CTF) for installing the app marketplace itself. On top of that, Apple throws up a series of not-so-subtle security checks during installation, clearly hoping to dissuade users from moving outside its walled garden.

For monetization, the store integrates with Patreon, allowing developers to offer beta apps as rewards for crowd-funding supporters. It will also help them generate a steady source of revenue to offset Apple's "core technology fee" (CTF) associated with each app download. 

Notably, the selection on AltStore is currently limited as the store features only two apps: Clip, a background clipboard manager, and Delta, a Nintendo console emulator. But the app hopes to be a haven for apps from indie developers that might struggle to navigate Apple's notoriously strict review process, boycotting its monetization models that don't involve showering the big tech with a 30% cut.

Although currently limited to the EU, AltStore PAL is a significant crack in Apple's walled garden. With the ability to host paid apps, subscriptions, and apps that bypass Apple's limitations, AltStore paves the way for a more diverse app landscape for European iPhone users.