Aptoide launches its alternative iOS game store in the EU
After the Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Apple to allow third-party app stores for iOS in Europe, several developers have launched alternative stores, like the AltStore and MacPaw’s Setapp (currently in closed beta). The latest entrant is Aptoide, the long-standing Android app store upstart, which is launching a game store in Europe.
The company announced today that users will be able to download its game store and use it on iOS on June 6.
Aptoide is launching the store with six titles initially, with plans to add more later. The company mentioned that more than 100 developers are set to launch their games on the app store, but with Apple’s notarization process, the formal launch takes time.
The launch titles include Word Jungle, a word puzzle; Condor — Leap of Faith, a jump-based platformer game; All-in-one Solitaire, a collection of different Solitaire games; All-in-one Mahjong, a collection of different Mahjong games; Charades — Guess the Word, another word puzzle game.
Currently, Word Jungle is the only game with in-app purchases. Apptoide has a unique model as it charges developers differently for in-app purchases. If a user has discovered the app through search or recommendations on the app store, the company charges a 20% fee, but if the developer acquires users through paid advertisement or through its community channels, Apptoide charges a 10% fee for in-app purchases. Developers are allowed to point to their websites for these transactions with a 10% fee going to Apptoide.
The startup said it went through Apple’s tedious process of applying as an alternative app store. It said the tech giant wasn’t always responsive.
TechCrunch briefly tested the app store. The process of installation is fairly simple. Once you get the invitation or access code, you can access the link to download the app store. You will have to go to settings and allow the download of an app store from this unknown source (Aptoide).
The company plans to onboard 500 to 1,000 users on the waitlist every day after the launch. The startup is doing this to make sure that it remains under the limit of 1 million annual first installs per year to avoid paying the core technology fee of €0.50 for each first install.
Aptoide has been operating in the app store space with an Android client since 2009. Last year, the Android app store reached nearly half a billion downloads.
Experience running an app store on Android might be handy to an extent for Aptoide, but iOS is a different ball game with Apple’s own rules and restrictions. Plus, with other stores competing for user attention in the EU, the company will need to attract some unique games to its store.