Unveiling the First Alternative App Store for the App Store

Setapp

The software development company MacPaw has announced the launch of the first alternative App Store for Apple App Store “App Store” in the European Union.

The company offers its store called Setapp as Beta beta and is expected to launch once and for all for all users in April.

The EU previously passed the Digital Markets Act, abbreviated as DMA, to oblige companies that develop operating systems to open their services and platforms to other companies and independent developers.

Based on the Digital Markets Act, Apple will be forced to provide space for companies wishing to provide alternative app stores to the App Store and allow users to download apps from outside for the first time.

It is worth mentioning that Setapp Store is currently available in macOS only, providing users with access to over 240 third-party apps for a subscription of $10 per month.

The company said its store will provide a “variety of carefully selected applications” including productivity tools, business, design applications and other applications and services.

The Setapp store will also be available in exchange for a periodic subscription, but subscription prices have not yet been set, and users within EU countries can join a queue in order to experience the store before its official launch.

Apple is preparing to launch an iOS 17.4 update that will carry many changes in the system in order to align with EU digital markets law.