Onside vs. AltStore PAL, Epic Games, Aptoide & Skich: The 2026 iOS App Store Comparison
Apr 16, 2026•10 min read
Onside vs. AltStore PAL, Epic Games, Aptoide & Skich: The 2026 iOS App Store Comparison
The walls of Apple's garden have officially opened in the EU and Japan. But with new freedom comes a shifting, highly competitive landscape of choices. As a user or a developer, you are no longer limited to a single storefront.
The market is moving fast. Early pioneers like MacPaw's Setapp Mobile closed in February 2026 due to the complex business realities of Apple's alternative terms, making way for new discovery models and heavily funded challengers.
If you are looking for a reliable, consumer-friendly alternative iOS app store, Onside is leading the charge for mainstream users. But how does it compare to hacker-favorites like AltStore PAL, gaming giants like the Epic Games Store, community platforms like Aptoide, or swipe-to-discover apps like Skich?
Here is your complete, authoritative guide to the alternative app distribution ecosystem as it stands in 2026. For a deeper look at how to install these stores safely, see our complete iOS safety guide.
Onside at a Glance: The Premium Consumer Alternative
Before comparing competitors, it is crucial to understand Onside's baseline. Onside is an alternative iOS app store designed to give users access to exclusive apps and games they won't find on Apple's App Store — without sacrificing safety or user experience.
- Availability: EU and Japan (requires iOS 17.6+ or iPadOS 18+)
- Installation: Direct web install via Safari or Chrome using Apple's official DMA marketplace framework — no Mac or PC required
- The experience: Curated collections, editorial highlights, and automatic OTA updates — designed to feel native
- The trust factor: Reviews synced with Apple's App Store; every app undergoes strict moderation and malware scanning before listing
- The economics: Developer fees of 8–10%, compared to Apple's standard 30% or competitors' 15–20% — savings passed directly to users through lower prices
The 2026 Master Comparison Matrix
| Store | Platforms | Regions | Developer Fee | Security Model | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onside | iOS, iPadOS | EU, Japan | 8–10% | Manual moderation + malware scan + App Store review sync | Mainstream consumers wanting safety + savings |
| AltStore PAL | iOS, iPadOS | EU, Japan | 0% (self-hosted) | Developer self-hosted; no central vetting | Power users, emulators, indie tools |
| Epic Games Store | PC, Mac, Android, iOS | Global (PC/Android), EU (iOS) | 12% (0% on first $1M) | Apple notarization only | Fortnite & AAA gaming exclusively |
| Aptoide | Android, iOS | Global (Android), EU (iOS) | 10–20% | Automated scan; Android-heritage catalog | Android gamers, large app volume |
| Skich | iOS, Android | EU | 15% | Apple notarization only | Social gaming discovery |
Note: Mobivention is also active in the EU but operates exclusively as a B2B marketplace for internal corporate apps, and is excluded from this consumer comparison.
Deep Dive: Onside vs. The Competitors
Each platform solves a different problem. Here is how to decide which marketplace fits your needs as a user or a publisher.
1. Onside vs. AltStore PAL: Mainstream Polish vs. Decentralized Freedom
AltStore PAL is an officially sanctioned marketplace co-created by developer Riley Testut. Thanks to an Epic Games MegaGrant, it is entirely free for users — the grant covers Apple's Core Technology Fee.
The AltStore PAL model: AltStore PAL relies on a grassroots, decentralized approach. Developers self-host their apps by publishing an "alternative distribution packet" (ADP), and users must manually add developer "sources" to discover them. In early 2026, AltStore integrated with the Fediverse (Mastodon), letting users follow developer updates in their social timelines. Its catalog leans heavily into niche power-user tools: the UTM virtual machine, Delta emulator, and torrenting clients.
The Onside model: Onside requires zero technical knowledge and no manual source management. You open the app, browse a centrally curated catalog, and download. Payments are integrated securely via credit card and Apple Pay.
The verdict:
- Choose AltStore PAL if you are a power user who wants to run Windows on your iPad via UTM, play retro games, and are comfortable managing developer repositories yourself.
- Choose Onside if you want a safe, "it just works" experience with high-quality apps and no source management.
2. Onside vs. Epic Games Store: General Purpose vs. Pure Gaming
The Epic Games Store fought hard for the right to exist on iOS, leveraging significant capital to challenge Apple's distribution monopoly under the DMA.
The Epic model: Epic is a game launcher — full stop. Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, Fall Guys. To attract developers, Epic covers Apple's Core Technology Fee for participants in its free games program and offers a 0% fee on the first $1,000,000 in revenue (reverting to 12% thereafter). Productivity apps, social networks, and utilities do not exist here.
The Onside model: Onside is a general-purpose marketplace. While it hosts a robust gaming catalog, it also carries everyday tools, streaming services, crypto wallets, and productivity software — making it a true App Store alternative rather than a supplement.
The verdict:
- Choose Epic Games Store if you exclusively want to play Fortnite and other Epic-published titles on your iPhone in the EU.
- Choose Onside if you want a full-spectrum alternative to the App Store with a wide variety of software categories, synced reviews, and a broader ecosystem.
3. Onside vs. Aptoide: iOS-Native vs. Android Legacy
Aptoide claims to be the world's third-largest Android app store and brings that scale to iOS — but its roots shape the experience.
The Aptoide model: Aptoide built its empire as a decentralized Android store since 2009. While its iOS marketplace features automated safety scanning, its catalog remains tilted toward gaming ported from Android. Aptoide charges developers 10% when users arrive via paid ads or community channels, and 20% when they discover apps through search or store recommendations — a dual-rate model unique in this space.
The Onside model: Onside is built strictly for the Apple ecosystem, with a consistent 8–10% fee regardless of acquisition source, iOS-native design language, and a catalog spanning lifestyle, utilities, and entertainment alongside games.
The verdict:
- Choose Aptoide if you are an Android gamer tapping into a large legacy gaming community, or an EU iOS user seeking maximum app volume.
- Choose Onside if you want a balanced, iOS-first marketplace with predictable, lower fees and broader app categories.
4. Onside vs. Skich: Familiar Commerce vs. Social Swiping
Skich launched its gaming-focused alternative store in March 2025, headquartered in Cyprus, with a radically different approach to app discovery.
The Skich model: Skich uses a "Tinder-like" swipe interface for finding games. Users swipe right to match with titles they might enjoy, build playlists, and track what friends are playing. Its catalog currently covers over 90 iOS games across 43 categories. It charges developers a flat 15% commission.
The Onside model: Onside relies on proven, intent-based discovery — detailed app pages, robust search, editorial collections, and synced App Store reviews — at 8–10% developer fees, returning more margin to creators than Schap.
The verdict:
- Choose Skich if you treat finding new mobile games as a social activity and enjoy gamified, swipe-based recommendations.
- Choose Onside if you know what you are looking for, value thousands of verified reviews before downloading, and prefer a streamlined, traditional shopping experience.
For Developers: Which Store Should You Publish On?
Most guides focus on the user. But if you are a developer deciding where to distribute your iOS app in the EU or Japan, the economics and reach look very different across stores.
| Store | Fee on IAP | Pays Apple CTF? | Catalog Scope | Audience Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onside | 8–10% | Yes | All categories | Growing EU + Japan |
| AltStore PAL | 0% | Covered by Epic grant | Niche/indie only | Small, technical |
| Epic Games Store | 0% → 12% | Covered (free games program) | Games only | 270M+ globally |
| Aptoide | 10–20% | Yes | Games-first | 430M+ (mostly Android) |
| Skich | 15% | Yes | Games only | Early-stage EU |
The developer verdict: For apps outside gaming, Onside is currently the only curated alternative marketplace covering all categories with the lowest flat fee. For pure games targeting the EU, Epic's 0% entry rate is hard to beat — but Onside's lower ongoing fee (8–10% vs 12%) and broader non-gaming audience make it the stronger long-term partner for most studios.
For full details on Apple's fee structures across distribution channels, see Apple's Core Technology Fee documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which alternative iOS app store has the lowest fees in 2026? Onside charges developers 8–10%, the lowest flat fee among curated stores. AltStore PAL charges 0% but uses a self-hosted model that places more technical burden on both developers and users.
Is Onside available in Japan? Yes. Onside launched in Japan in February 2026, making it one of the first curated alternative marketplaces to support both EU and Japanese Apple ID users on iOS 17.6+ and iPadOS 18+.
What happened to Setapp Mobile? MacPaw shut down Setapp Mobile in February 2026, citing Apple's complex and evolving business terms. It highlights the importance of choosing a marketplace with stable long-term infrastructure.
Do I need a jailbreak to use any of these stores? No. All stores listed — Onside, AltStore PAL, Epic Games Store, Aptoide, and Skich — operate under Apple's official DMA alternative marketplace framework. No jailbreak is required.
Can US users access these alternative app stores? Not yet. As of 2026, alternative iOS app stores are restricted to users with EU or Japanese Apple ID accounts who are physically located in those regions.
Which store is best for non-technical users? Onside. It requires no source management, no technical setup, and offers the most familiar interface for users accustomed to the Apple App Store.
Which alternative iOS app store is best for developers? It depends on your app category. For non-gaming apps, Onside's 8–10% flat fee and all-category catalog make it the strongest option. For games targeting EU users, Epic's 0% introductory rate is competitive, though Onside's lower ongoing fee and broader audience make it the better long-term choice for most studios.
Summary: Designing Your App Ecosystem
The era of relying on a single company to dictate your digital life is over. As alternative iOS app distribution matures in 2026, the question is no longer if you should use a third-party store — it is which one aligns with your needs.
For EU and Japan residents seeking the safest, most familiar, and economically advantageous alternative iOS app store, Onside provides the optimal balance between platform freedom, developer-friendly economics, and enterprise-grade security.
For developers, the calculus is equally clear: Onside's 8–10% flat fee, all-category catalog, and growing EU and Japan user base represent the strongest long-term publishing platform outside of Apple's own storefront.
Want to understand the full security picture before you install? Read our complete iOS alternative app store safety guide.
Ready to upgrade your iOS experience? Install Onside Today →
Last updated: April 2026. Applies to EU and Japan users on iOS 17.6+ or iPadOS 18+.