Setapp Mobile, an alternative app store launched in September 2024 by Ukrainian developer MacPaw, is discontinuing operations, citing evolving and complex business terms. The platform offered access to dozens of apps via a $9.99 monthly subscription for EU-based Apple ID users.
MacPaw will remove all applications from Setapp Mobile by the sunset date of February 16, 2026. Applications available on Setapp Desktop remain unaffected. The announcement, initially posted on Setapp’s support site, was first noted by MacRumors.
The company attributed its decision to “still-evolving and complex business terms that don’t fit Setapp’s current business model.” These terms refer to Apple’s fee structure for apps operating under new EU business terms, specifically the controversial Core Technology Fee.
This fee charges developers €0.50 for each first annual install exceeding 1 million within a 12-month period. Apple revised its fee structure last year to address non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), resulting in increased complexity rather than simplification.
The fluctuating fee structure reportedly hinders developers’ ability to plan business growth and monetization effectively, indicating that current fees may render alternative app stores unviable in the EU. Setapp shared a statement with TechCrunch, concluding their business model was not “viable” due to continued changes in commercial conditions.
The statement from Setapp reads: “Setapp Mobile was a bold, breakthrough project that aimed to provide EU iOS users with access to alternative app marketplaces — creating a new app ecosystem where both developers and users could thrive. We are proud of what we have accomplished with it over the past two years and still believe passionately in this vision. As a result of still-evolving commercial conditions, we have determined that it is not viable to continue development or support for Setapp Mobile within Setapp’s current business model. While we are disappointed to discontinue Setapp Mobile and let down our user base and developer community in the EU, we are looking forward to pursuing the development of other innovations.”
Other alternative app stores continue to operate in the EU, including the Epic Games Store and the open-source AltStore.
