As an app development company, we understand the limitations of the official App Store for iOS users. We have compiled a list of the best alternative app store for iOS users to overcome these limitations.
The official App Store has strict policies and regulations restricting certain types of apps, such as emulators and screen recorders. Apple’s review process can also delay app approvals and rejections of apps that do not meet their guidelines.
Our thesis statement is that exploring alternative app stores can provide iOS users more flexibility, variety, and accessibility than the official App Store. By offering a unique app experience, these app stores can meet users’ needs and provide a suitable solution to overcome the limitations of the official App Store.
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But Why Exactly Go For An Alternative App Store?
The iOS device alternatives might not offer as profitable a model as App Store. Still, these third-party app stores pay well for downloads and often offer more lucrative app deals than the popular app stores.
Besides, third-party app stores rarely charge an app listing fee. They can promote your app better by featuring it as an app of the day or offering advertising offers/discounts to the app owners. These alternative app stores offer apps the coveted spot in recommended app list. So, the apps that failed to make it to the Apple Store’s top ten charts can get recognized here.
We Have Listed Some Examples of How Alternative App Store Can Be Used to Drive Business Growth:
| The Benefit of Alternative App Store | A wider range of app options |
|---|---|
| A Wider Range of App Options | Attract new customers with unique and innovative apps |
| More Flexibility in App Downloads | Improve user experience by offering older versions of apps |
| Unique App Experience | Increase user engagement and retention through personalized app recommendations |
| App Distribution for Companies | Reach new customers with apps not available in the official App Store |
| Improved User Experience | Enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty |
Next, we’ll guide you through the top alternative app stores for both Android and iOS.
Best 10 Third-Party App Stores Alternatives for Android and iOS
1. AltStore: Alternative App Store for iOS
Among the best third-party tweaked app stores for iOS devices, AltStore works without jailbreak. This app store doesn’t rely on developer certificates, which sets it apart from other unofficial app installers, such as TutuApp and TweakBox. The app allows users to install .ipa files from any app/game they are looking for and is not available on Apple Store. Riley Testut is the Altstore developer, and right now, there are just a few apps, but it’ll be supporting more apps. You can download IPA files and install them using AltStore. Meanwhile, to use AltStore, users will require downloading AltServer and an advanced firewall and Wi-Fi settings knowledge. Besides, the platform requires a Wi-Fi connection for installing and updating apps.
Features
It doesn’t need jailbreak. There can be no revocations as all the users own & create developer certificates; hence they can’t be globally revoked by Apple. It allows installation of third-party apps, offers open-code, and here apps are loaded as in Cydia Impactor.
2. co*kerNutX: Alternative App Store
Among the latest third-party iOS app stores, on co*kerNutX, users can easily find thousands of third-party & unofficial apps, settings, games, and more. Unlike the official iOS app store, it doesn’t require using an Apple account to install co*kernutX. There are no geographic restrictions to download apps. One of the most popular alternate iOS app stores, co*kerNutX allows downloading tonnes of apps & games. It has a beautiful and easy-to-use user interface, doesn’t require jailbreak, is available for free, and supports all iOS versions, including iOS 13.
Features
It supports all iOS versions; jailbreak is not required. It is available for free, easy-to-use SSL encryption for security.
3. Tweakbox: Alternative App Store
This third-party app store is an alternative for iOS. The users can install any modified app without the Apple app store. It is easy to use and has a quite attractive design. Tweakbox consists of various apps & games that are not easily found on the official Apple app store. It comes with encrypted SSL, and here you get all apps and games for free. Tweakbox supports all iPhones and iPads.
Features
It is easy to use and offers thousands of games & apps. Tweakbox provides a user-friendly user interface and supports all iPads and iPhones.
4. App Valley: Alternative App Store
This is a new alternative to the Apple app store and allows users to download various apps, games, ringtones, emulators, improvements, and a lot more for free. AppValley is a safe and reliable platform that offers constant updates. It works on iOS 13 without interfering with the security features provided by Apple. Downloading this app doesn’t require jailbreaking the device.
Features
App Valley is an easy-to-install app. It has a user-friendly interface compatible with almost all iOS versions and offers thousands of free apps and games not available on the Apple app store.
5. Getjar: Alternative App Store
This platform offers millions of apps that can be downloaded via the corporate client and from the site’s mobile version. The biggest con of this platform is too much advertising. It is among the best third-party iOS app stores, and you can safely download games & apps on your iPhone using the Getjar app store.
Features
Getjar is easier to use and offers fast and secure downloads. It has millions of apps that are available on the app store.
6. Tutu App: Alternative App Store
Jailbreak is a free app store created for iOS and Android devices. It enables installing apps & games from the official Apple Store for iOS and Google Play Store for Android devices. The app offers many features that allow getting paid apps directly for free. To install this platform, Jailbreaking the iOS device is not needed.
Features
This platform doesn’t require jailbreaking, and it offers fast downloading speed. Here you can install premium apps for free.
7. Topstore: Alternative App Store
The best third-party app store for iOS; on Topstore, users can download various apps, games, Mod games, Tweaked apps, and a lot more for free. The app allows downloading any app or game and works on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod that runs on iOS 8. The app users can easily use this app without jailbreaking their devices.
Features
This platform offers more than a thousand apps that are easy to use and install. It has a simple user interface, supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and is compatible with almost all iOS versions.
8. Tutubox: Alternative App Store
Among the best third-party tweaked app stores, Tutubox is a great platform that allows access to the most required emulators, tweaked apps, hacked games, and jailbreak tools for iOS. It is easier to access thousands of apps & games through this platform without jailbreaking your device or getting regularly revoked.
It doesn’t involve downloading fees and works excellently on all the versions of iOS that run the iOS 13 version or higher. Here, users get tweaked apps like Pandora++, Instagram++, Twitter++, YouTubeMusic++, and top emulators like Delta, Happy Click, GBA4iOS, Provenance, and game hack GTA iSpoofer, Sniper 3D, Minecraft, Real Racing 3, Last Day on Earth, and Shadow Fight 3. It allows installing tools like Electra, Odyssey, H3lix, Phoenix, and unc0ver without using a PC from Tutubox.
Features
This app offers significant features which might be missing in other app stores. It is an entirely safe and reliable store for iOS devices. Also, it is a free app; here, you can download your desired stuff at no cost. This platform is compatible with all iOS devices; no jailbreaking is required to run this store. Users can use it without Apple ID and password. Also, Tutubox has fewer revokes and offers excellent customer service.
9. Aptoide: Alternative App Store
It is an online marketplace for mobile applications which runs on Android and iOS. It is also a free 3rd party app store for Android and iOS devices that allows the safe discovery and installation of new apps. Or we can also say that it is an alternative marketplace for downloading Android and iOS applications that are usually obtained from stores.
Features
You do not require spending every penny for downloading, and all apps and games can be attained completely free of cost if you download Aptitude.
10. Uptodown App: Alternative App Store for Android & iOS
It is introduced as the alternative for Mac, and Android. UpToDown continues to add more apps every day in it. It also contains each app’s total VirusTotal virus scan result on its security report page. It is an open app store without any regional or country-specific restrictions. The apk also provides an auto-update and offers the option to revert to any previous version of an app.
Feature
It can detect XApkfilees with additional OBB data. It allows users to make backups for any apps they download and choose which one they want to update.
Best 5 Third-Party App Stores For iOS
1. BuildStore: Alternative App Store for iOS
This platform is among the most-used third-party tweaked app store having more than 15K daily active users. Operating steadily since 2013, iOS users can sideload tweaked apps & games without jailbreak. Today, it is a safe and reliable store with more than 300 games and apps updated constantly. Around 20-30 new apps are added monthly. Few of these apps are on the Apple Store, making BuildStore a unique place to access those apps. The store doesn’t host malware, and it doesn’t accept apps with viruses. Also, all the apps go through a manual testing procedure, and it is impossible to damage your device as you use BuildStore.
Features
It has 300+ tweaks & apps, has “Request an app” functionality, doesn’t require extra tools or specific skills, seamless account restoring, 24×7 online customer support, etc.
2. Cydia: Alternative App Store
Among the most popular third-party app stores for iOS, Cydia was only available to install for Apple devices via jailbreak; however, today, jailbreak is not the only method, as there are various easy ways to install it. Cydia is compatible with all the iDevice models, the iOS versions, and most jailbroken devices. It’s also easier to use for new users and has much easier installation.
Features
It is compatible with jailbreak devices, supports all iOS versions, ease-to-use due to its user-friendly interface.
3. Xabi: Alternative App Store
Xabsi is an alternate app store for iOS that supports all the latest iOS versions and iDevices. Both 32-bit and 64-bit users can install these apps as an alternative to the Apple App Store. Xabi consists of thousands of unique apps not to be found on the official Apple app store. However, you might require jailbreaking for the device to use this third-party app store.
Features
It is easy to use and compatible with all the iOS versions. Xabi offers both free and premium features.
4. iOS Heaven: Alternative App Store
Among the best app stores for iOS, this platform offers thousands of apps available on the iOS Heaven web page. Users can directly install these apps from a web browser or as an IPA archive. No other iOS store needs to be downloaded to operate iOS Heaven. Many apps are available on its web page.
Features
It is easy to use and offers fast loading and downloading speed. It allows you to download your favorite software from the web app directly.
5. Appland: Alternative App Store
Appland is the ideal app for iOS device holders looking for one of the best and most flexible iOS third-party app stores. This app store comes in many forms, both in an app and web and allows creating your app store for iOS and works globally.
Features
Appland targets users as per the region and generates huge revenue.
| Best Third-Party App Stores For iOS | Rating |
|---|---|
| BuildStore | 5/5 |
| AltStore | 4/5 |
| co*kerNutX | 3/5 |
| Cydia | 3/5 |
| Xabi | 2/5 |
| Tweakbox | 3/5 |
| App Valley | 1/5 |
| Getjar | 4/5 |
| iOS Heaven | 1/5 |
| Tutu App | 1/5 |
| Appland | 3/5 |
| Topstore | 2/5 |
| Tutubox | 2/5 |
How Mobile App Marketplace Can Be a Profitable Business?
Mobile app marketplaces can be profitable businesses, as they offer a convenient platform for users to discover and download apps for their mobile devices.
To begin with, there are several different types of mobile app marketplaces that you could consider creating or participating in. The most well-known is the Apple App Store, available on iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. Other popular app marketplaces include Google Play, available on Android devices, and the Amazon Appstore, available on Amazon’s Fire tablets.
You must consider key factors to create a profitable Alternative App Store. First and foremost, you’ll need to ensure that your marketplace offers a wide variety of high-quality apps that users will be interested in downloading. This may require working closely with developers to ensure their apps meet your quality standards and are optimized for your marketplace.
Ultimately, the success of your mobile app marketplace will depend on various factors, including the quality and variety of apps available, the user experience of your marketplace, and your marketing efforts. As an App Development Company, you are well-positioned to take advantage of this growing market and create a profitable business that serves the needs of mobile users worldwide.
Conclusion
There are other places to get apps besides the usual App Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android phones. These benefits include a more comprehensive range of app options, more flexibility in app downloads, and a unique app experience. By exploring app store alternatives, users can find suitable platforms that meet their needs and provide a better experience.
These other app stores aren’t available on the official App Store or Google Play. You have to source them from specific websites or even through Google. While these app store alternatives might offer cool apps, it’s essential to be cautious about where you download from to ensure your phone’s safety.
