Apptoide: First Free iOS App Store Now Available in EU

If you've been searching for an alternative to the iOS App Store, you've largely been out of luck due to Apple's protective stance on their ecosystem. However, following a series of legal battles, the landscape began to shift last year, paving the way for new entrants. After the Epic Games Store made its debut on iOS, another player has now stepped into the fray: Aptoide.

Those with a keen memory might remember our earlier coverage of Aptoide during their mid-2024 beta phase. Now, Aptoide is fully available for free to all iOS users within the EU. While Aptoide boldly claims to be the first alternative storefront on iOS, it's worth noting that the Epic Games Store actually beat them to a full release by a few months.

What sets Aptoide apart is its extensive range of offerings. Unlike the Epic Games Store, which primarily focuses on gaming, Aptoide provides a wide variety of general apps. Additionally, Aptoide introduces a unique feature that allows users to choose the specific version of an app they wish to use, a functionality previously exclusive to Android users and now available on their iOS platform.

Alternatively, yoursWhile my initial tone might suggest skepticism, I believe Aptoide has a legitimate claim to being the first truly independent third-party app store, especially considering their beta phase. The Epic Games Store, although technically third-party, is still operated by a significant industry player.

For those of us who have been following the Epic vs. Apple legal battles and the subsequent opening of iOS to more storefronts, Aptoide's arrival is promising news. Now, the focus will be on whether Aptoide can successfully attract users who are dissatisfied with Apple's offerings.