One of the first third-party app stores on iOS is preparing to open in the European Union. The software company MacPaw has announced that it will launch its Setapp store in beta tomorrow, with an official launch scheduled for April.
Setapp is currently only available on macOS and offers users access to over 240 third-party apps for a subscription of 10 euros per month. Some examples of select apps available through Setapp include n-Track Studio music software, MindNode project planner, and Session productivity app. Let's see what it's all about!
This new iOS application store will have a “handpicked assortment of apps, including fan favorites from the Setapp catalogue”. In addition to productivity and business tools, Setapp on iOS will also offer design software, utility apps, productivity services and a few more things.
Big news! MacPaw will launch @Setapp Mobile Beta in the EU – the first alternative marketplace for iOS with a curated selection of apps 🚀
Read on for some insider secrets, including the first apps on board: https://t.co/b7Tc2hm7JA pic.twitter.com/lYfplYlnFp
— MacPaw 🇺🇦 (@MacPaw) February 29, 2024
Setapp's new iOS app store will also be available with a subscription, but it's unclear how much it will cost. MacPaw Product Marketing Manager Yaroslav Stepanenko says:
«Prices will be adapted to standard subscription pricing models, but have not yet been defined. If you are interested in trying out the new iOS store, you can sign up for the waitlist on the Setapp website.
New app store
Apple's previous rules against app store competition made it impossible for third-party app marketplaces to operate on the iPhone. Setapp, in particular, offers a unique approach to the app store business as it makes all your apps are available through a single monthly subscription rather than making users pay individual fees for the apps they want.
MacPaw CEO Oleksandr Kosovan in a statement said:
"We are setting a new path for the software industry towards a better and more diverse application ecosystem"
“We carefully curate our collection, ensuring every app, every feature, and every update aligns with our philosophy of meaningful efficiency.”
In January, Apple announced that it would allow third-party app stores on iPhones as part of its efforts to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), which comes into effect in March with the release of iOS 17.4. This will allow iPhone users to download alternative app stores, where they can find apps that may not be available in Apple's App Store. Like third-party apps on macOS, any app distributed through an alternative store will have to be "approved" by Apple.
Even though Apple is loosening some of its restrictions, there are still some concerns about whether third-party app stores will be able to succeed. Critics argue that Apple is steering developers away from putting their apps on a third-party store because they will have to agree to a different set of commercial terms.
New rules for app stores
The new rules impose a "basic technology fee" that charges 50 euro cents per installation once an app reaches 1 million annual downloads in the EU, which could hit the most popular free apps especially hard.
MacPaw said the beta version of Setapp Mobile will offer a “carefully selected assortment of applications”:
- Productivity and business tools: Increase your efficiency with tools to manage your schedule, stay on track, personalize your Internet experience and much more.
- Creative and design software: Unlock your creative potential with intuitive tools designed for photo animation, document creation, and more.
- Lifestyle and productivity: Improve your daily routines with apps that help you create better habits, stay up to date with the latest news, and efficiently manage your notes and ideas.
- Utility Apps: Make everyday tasks easier with applications that allow you to effortlessly share files, monitor your expenses, and streamline the process of organizing our ideas.
- Specialized professional tools: Interact with advanced applications designed for detailed document searches, comprehensive database management, and more.
MacPaw is one of the first companies to announce plans to offer an alternative iPhone app marketplace in the EU, along with Epic Games, which I talked about the other day, as the changes and fights between Epic Games and Apple are constant. Setapp subscribers on the Mac can now access a collection of iOS apps with a QR code system, and the alternative app marketplace will offer a more streamlined experience.
Conclusion
For additional details on the changes coming to the App Store and more in the EU, read the previous article, where we see the changes that occur. The changes do not apply outside the EU, nor do they apply to iPadOS in any country.
Developers interested in joining Setapp on iOS are encouraged to apply through the platform on the MacPaw website. iPhone users in the EU who are interested in accessing the market can join the waiting list.
There are still a number of different details we're waiting for MacPaw to announce, including specific details and terms for developers. Still, it's notable to see MacPaw take advantage of the changes coming to the iPhone in the EU as a result of DMA. Epic Games has also announced plans to offer an iPhone app store in the EU, but without specific launch information.
Developers looking to sign up for Setapp for iPhone can get started here, but if you are a Setapp user or are interested in the new store that will be available soon, you can join the waiting list to use the application. The EU market is in beta phase since April Stage. It's not clear what's going on, but MacPaw has invested heavily in Setapp for iPhone.
