Apptoide: First Free iOS App Store Now Available in EU

If you've been seeking an alternative to the iOS App Store, you've largely been out of luck due to Apple's protective stance over its platform. However, following years of legal battles, the landscape began to shift last year, and after the launch of the Epic Games Store on iOS, Aptoide has now entered the fray.

Aptoide, the independent app store, is now available for free on iOS for EU users. While it claims to be the first alternative app store to arrive for free, it's worth noting that the Epic Games Store actually launched first. Yet, Aptoide may have a unique claim to being the first general, third-party storefront.

Those of you with a keen eye might remember our previous coverage of Aptoide when we discussed their initial beta in mid-2024. Now, all EU iOS users can download Aptoide for free and explore its offerings. Although Aptoide boldly claims to be the first alternative storefront on iOS, many will recall that the Epic Games Store beat them to a full release by a few months.

Where Aptoide sets itself apart is in its diverse range of releases. Unlike the Epic Games Store, which focuses primarily on gaming, Aptoide offers a broader selection of general apps. Additionally, it introduces an innovative feature allowing users to choose the version of an app they wish to use—a feature previously exclusive to Android users and now available only on Aptoide's iOS platform.

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While my tone might seem skeptical, I genuinely believe Aptoide has a strong case for being the first alternative app store, especially considering its beta period. The Epic Games Store, for instance, is third-party in name but still operated by a major industry player.

For those of us following the Epic vs. Apple saga and the subsequent opening of iOS to more storefronts, this development is promising. We'll be watching closely to see if Aptoide can capture the interest of users dissatisfied with Apple's offerings.