by Juli Clover
One of the first alternative app marketplaces went live in the European Union today, with developer Riley Testut introducing AltStore PAL, a version of his AltStore that can be accessed in EU countries.
AltStore PAL is an open-source app that is designed to distribute apps from independent developers. At launch, it features two apps, including Testut's Delta game emulator and clipboard manager app Clip. Delta is also being simultaneously released in the App Store outside of the European Union, but it looks like EU customers will need to download it from AltStore.
Testut says that once AltStore PAL is "running smoothly," third-party app developers will be able to submit their apps for distribution outside of the App Store. The app marketplace is designed to be decentralized with no directory, so developers will need to self-promote their apps and direct users to their websites to install an app through AltStore.
Distributing apps through AltStore is free of charge, but it is worth noting that apps that see more than one million first annual installs will need to pay Apple an 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee. App marketplaces have to pay the fee for every install with no free allowance, so AltStore is charged 0.50 euros each time it is installed. To afford the fee, Testut is charging 1.50 euros per year for AltStore PAL access.
Testut has been working on AltStore PAL since Apple announced plans to support alternative app marketplaces in iOS 17.4. It is open to all apps, but Testut says that it makes the most sense for "smaller, indie apps that otherwise couldn't exist due to App Store rules."
AltStore PAL is equipped with Patreon integration to allow developers to monetize their apps. Developers can offer their apps to just their patrons, and this method of distribution also allows for a sub-1 million cap on those who can subscribe to use an app.
iPhone users in the European Union can download AltStore PAL from the AltStore website. Alternative app marketplaces are not available outside of the European Union.
Tag: European Union
[ 183 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
Havoc035
2 days ago at 10:47 am
Here’s more information on it posted earlier today.https://www.theverge.com/24100464/altstore-pal-dma-eu-launch-delta-nintendo-emulator-clip-clipboard-manager
I especially hate that Delta now isn't coming to the App Store in Europe. Now as a European I'm forced to install this other store if I want it. Some people kept claiming that people who don't want to install other stores would never have to but this was always going to happen.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Timo_Existencia
2 days ago at 10:39 am
Testut is charging 1.50 euros per year for AltStore PAL access.
So...he's taking a 66% cut of the 1.50 fee. Apple is getting a 33% cut.
The more things change, the more they stay the same ;)
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SteveJobsOfficial
2 days ago at 10:58 am
I especially hate that Delta now isn't coming to the App Store in Europe. Now as a European I'm forced to install this other store if I want it. Some people kept claiming that people who don't want to install other stores would never have to but this was always going to happen.
I'm 100% confident this exact argument was made because companies would supposedly willingly pull out of the App Store. That reality never happened. Delta has to be in an alternative store because Apple kicks developers out of the App Store in the EU if they want to distribute anything else at all (like AltStore) outside of Apple's market. This is entirely Apple's doing, not the consequence of a fully open market (which it still isn't).
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nicolas_s
2 days ago at 11:32 am
Delta is also being simultaneously released in the App Store ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/17/delta-game-emulator-iphone/') outside of the European Union, but it looks like EU customers will need to download it from AltStore.
Great, now us Europeans will have to download all these cr*p alt stores because developers will force us to install their store to use their apps, while US users will enjoy the convenience and safety of having just one official app store for everything. Great user experience.
"But it won't change anything, it'll just give you more choices" they said.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher
2 days ago at 11:38 am
One of the first alternative app marketplaces went live in the European Union today, with developer Riley Testut introducing AltStore PAL, a version of his AltStore that can be accessed in EU countries.
If the U.S./North America ever got one, it'll probably be called AltStore NTSC ;)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MikeZTM
2 days ago at 10:50 am
Who said you can always use AppStore if you don't want a third-party marketplace again?
"It's just a new option" "more choice is always better"
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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