Apptoide: First Free iOS App Store Now Available in EU

If you've been on the hunt for an alternative to the iOS App Store, you've likely faced challenges due to Apple's stringent control over its ecosystem. However, recent legal developments have started to shift the landscape, and following the Epic Games Store's entry into iOS, Aptoide has now made its debut.

We previously covered Aptoide during their beta phase in mid-2024, and now, all EU iOS users can download it for free. While Aptoide boldly claims to be the first alternative app store on iOS, keen observers will remember that the Epic Games Store actually launched its full version a few months earlier.

What sets Aptoide apart, however, is its broader range of offerings. Unlike the Epic Games Store, which focuses primarily on gaming, Aptoide provides a more diverse selection of general apps. Additionally, Aptoide introduces an innovative feature allowing users to choose the specific version of an app they wish to use—a functionality previously exclusive to Android users.

Alternatively, yoursWhile my initial remarks might seem skeptical, I believe Aptoide has a legitimate claim to being the first general, third-party app store on iOS, especially considering its beta phase. The Epic Games Store, although a third-party option, is backed by a major industry player, whereas Aptoide represents a more independent alternative.

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