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MacPaw has launched Setapp Mobile for iOS, an alternative app store in the EU. It has a $10 monthly fee and global app access, but EU-only installs and updates.
The Ukraine-based company’s launch comes as a direct response to the European Union’s recent Digital Markets Act (DMA). After months of closed beta testing, Setapp Mobile is now in public beta testing and is no longer free.
Setapp Mobile beta is finally here, so if you are in the EU, it's time to explore 50+ quality apps for your iPhone⚡️
Try free for 7 days👉https://t.co/7PKnaH2mBH pic.twitter.com/C7xB5QGgkM
— Setapp (@Setapp) September 17, 2024
The platform offers a $10 (€9.49) monthly subscription that includes a seven-day trial period. Previous beta users must upgrade by September 17th to maintain access.
Apps on Setapp Mobile can be used globally, but installation and updates are restricted to the EU. Users need an iPhone running iOS 17.4 or later and an Apple ID from an EU member state.
The store currently has over 50 apps in categories such as video, photo, productivity, and finance. Among the available apps are Riveo video editor, MonAI, CleanMyPhone, AdLock, Free Your Music, Elk currency converter, Bookshelf: Reading Tracker, Time Master, and ClearVPN. While some apps are also available on the iOS App Store, MacPaw claims that Setapp provides a more user-friendly experience and a more equitable compensation model for developers. The apps contain no in-app purchases or ads.
How Is Setapp Mobile Adapting to EU DMA Rules?
Setapp, initially a macOS app marketplace, has expanded to iOS with the introduction of Setapp Mobile. The mobile version began closed beta testing in May, following the DMA’s requirement for Apple to allow external app marketplaces on iPhones.
MacPaw was among the first to embrace the EU’s DMA regulations, offering its Setapp subscription platform to iOS and Mac users. A major issue in Apple’s implementation of the DMA is its Core Technology Fee (CTF), which requires developers to charge €0.50 for each initial annual installation beyond the first 1 million installs. Regulators are examining if Apple’s terms align with DMA regulations. MacPaw has not yet decided whether it will incur these fees.
Moreover, iPadOS 18 will allow EU iPad users to access third-party app stores. This update, which aligns with earlier iOS 17 changes, addresses the European Commission’s concerns about Apple’s market dominance.
