AltStore PAL is now available for free in the EU, thanks to a MegaGrant from Epic Games. This app allows users to access a third-party app store utilizing the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The news was shared through social media posts by the app maker, announcing that the grant will cover Apple’s Core Technology fee, making AltStore PAL free for users without the need for a subscription.
Developed by Riley Testut, known for the video game emulator Delta, and his business partner Shane Gill, AltStore PAL was launched following the implementation of the EU’s DMA. Initially, it featured two apps – Delta and the AltStore’s own clipboard manager, Clip. Unlike Apple’s App Store, AltStore allows anyone to distribute their app through self-publishing.
AltStore PAL previously required a €1.50 annual subscription fee for users, as it could not cover Apple’s Core Technology Fee without it. However, with the MegaGrant from Epic Games, the subscription fee is now dropped.
MegaGrants were introduced by Epic Games in 2019 to support various developers worldwide. The grants range from $5,000 to $500,000 and are aimed at developers working with Epic’s Unreal Engine or enhancing open-source capabilities in the 3D graphics community.
Epic Games did not disclose the size of the grant awarded to AltStore PAL, but the company has been vocal in its criticism of Apple’s business practices, including the implementation of new fees and rules under the DMA. AltStore PAL has announced that users who already paid the subscription fee will not be charged again at renewal.
