Apptoide, the so-called first free App Store for iOS, is now available for free in the EU

If you've been on the hunt for an alternative to the iOS App Store, you might have felt like you were stuck in Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem. But change is afoot, and after a series of legal battles, the landscape began to shift last year. Following the debut of the Epic Games Store on iOS, another contender has entered the arena: Aptoide.

You might remember our coverage of Aptoide's initial beta launch back in mid-2024. Now, the wait is over for EU iOS users who can download Aptoide for free and explore what it has to offer. Aptoide boldly claims to be the first alternative app store on iOS, though keen observers will note that the Epic Games Store beat them to a full release by a few months.

What sets Aptoide apart, however, is its extensive range of offerings. Unlike the Epic Games Store, which primarily focuses on gaming, Aptoide boasts a wider variety of general apps. Moreover, it introduces a unique feature allowing users to choose specific versions of apps, a functionality previously exclusive to Android users.

While my tone might come across as slightly skeptical, I genuinely believe Aptoide has a strong case for being the first true third-party general app store on iOS, particularly considering its beta phase. The Epic Games Store, while technically third-party, is still run by a major industry player. In contrast, Aptoide offers a broader, more diverse platform.

For those of us who have followed the Epic v Apple legal battle and the subsequent opening up of iOS to third-party app stores, this is a significant development. Now, the real test begins: can Aptoide capture the attention of those iOS users who are looking for something different from Apple's offerings? Only time will tell, but for now, the future looks promising for more choice and innovation in the iOS ecosystem.