- Initially, this fee was imposed to cover Apple’s Core Technology Fee for app installations
- Thanks to Epic’s MegaGrant, the app store delivering their app is now free for users
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The third-party iOS app store in the EU, AltStore PAL, has eliminated its annual €1.50 subscription fee following a MegaGrant from Epic Games.
Previously, this fee was necessary to cover the Apple Core Technology Fee for app installations. AltStore PAL had to pass this fee onto users in order to sustain its service, which may have deterred some users unwilling to pay even a small amount.
Now, thanks to the generosity of Epic Games, AltStore PAL is completely free.
Epic explains that their MegaGrant aims to support innovative projects that lack adequate funding. While typically geared towards smaller teams using Epic’s technologies, AltStore revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that they received the grant for their innovative approach to app distribution.
In related news, the Epic Games Store is now live, featuring highly anticipated titles such as Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and a Fall Guys exclusive.
Existing subscribers to AltStore will not be charged upon renewal and will be acknowledged in a future update as early adopters.
Furthermore, Epic Games has launched the Epic Games Store for mobile, offering popular titles such as Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and a Fall Guys exclusive.
Epic’s Support for AltStore PAL
AltStore PAL operates in a grey area legally but has managed to gain Apple’s approval despite its unconventional operations, thanks to the changing regulations around Apple’s perceived iOS app application monopoly globally.
Now, with support from Epic Games, AltStore PAL is free. Currently, AltStore is the only route for Epic’s App Store on iOS, showcasing a strategic move to challenge Apple’s dominance.
One of AltStore PAL’s noteworthy offerings is the Delta game emulator, which controversially rose to the top spot in the App Store download rankings in 35 countries, amassing over 44 million downloads. This emulator allows users to play valuable Nintendo IP for free, raising questions about intellectual property rights.
