We Reviewed Aptoide: A Free Alternative to the iPhone App Store

Aptoide: A New Contender in the iOS App Marketplace

Introduction

The popular alternative Android marketplace, Aptoide, has ventured into the iOS ecosystem, challenging Apple’s dominance. Despite this bold move, the balance of power remains largely unchanged.

Aptoide’s Background

Aptoide, established in 2009, is a well-known alternative to Google Play for Android users. Based in Portugal, the platform hosts around 1 million apps for approximately 400 million users. Today, Aptoide is launching its iOS app store, aiming to provide a new marketplace for iOS users.

Initial Challenges

The iOS version of Aptoide has faced some hurdles. According to its developer, Riley Testut, new software has been delayed due to Apple’s notarization process. Setapp Mobile, another third-party app store, has also experienced similar challenges but has managed to navigate through them with persistence.

User Experience

Installing Aptoide on an iOS device involves several steps, each accompanied by warnings. However, Aptoide provides a detailed guide to help users through the process. Once installed, using Aptoide is straightforward: select a game, install it, and start playing.

Current Offerings

During testing, Aptoide’s library was limited to eight basic games, such as Solitaire and Hangman. However, Paulo Trezentos, co-founder and CEO of Aptoide, assures that more games are on the way. He mentions that 100 developers have shown interest, with 30 currently in the technical integration phase.

Future Prospects

Aptoide plans to release new games weekly, although most will be titles already available on the App Store. There are no plans to include controversial content like pornographic or gambling games. Emulators will be allowed if they do not infringe on intellectual property rights.

Developer Incentives

Aptoide is offering financial incentives to developers, paying between $1,000 and $2,000 to launch a game on its iOS platform. The company also covers the Core Technology Fee, which is 50 euro cents per annual marketplace install, from its cut of in-app purchases.

A little more detail on the bonus system Aptoide is running for users.

Image: Aptoide

The system Aptoide is running to try and encourage developers to release apps onto its iOS platform.

Image: Aptoide

Competitive Edge

Unlike Setapp Mobile and AltStore PAL, which pass the Core Technology Fee to users, Aptoide absorbs this cost. This makes Aptoide the first third-party iOS app store that users can access for free, potentially attracting a broader audience and more developers.

Concerns and Future Outlook

Despite its potential, Aptoide faces several challenges:

1. Reliance on In-App Purchases: While financially viable, in-app purchases are often frowned upon by tech enthusiasts.
2. Quality of Titles: The initial offerings are basic, and many are already available on the App Store.
3. Competitiveness: It’s uncertain if Aptoide can compete with the established App Store.

Early Days of Third-Party App Stores

It’s important to remember that third-party app stores like Aptoide and Setapp Mobile are still in their early stages. Many fans of sideloading may have hoped for rapid changes, but progress has been slow.

“Three months in, and the alternative app stores that have so far launched in Europe are doing little to jeopardize Apple’s monopoly — and you know Cupertino is feeling pretty satisfied about that.”

Conclusion

While Aptoide’s entry into the iOS marketplace is a significant step, it has yet to make a substantial impact on Apple’s dominance. The journey for third-party app stores is just beginning, and only time will tell how they will evolve.