AltStore’s developers have announced plans to expand their iPhone alternative app marketplace to Australia, Brazil, and Japan later this year, followed by the United Kingdom in 2026. The move marks the platform’s biggest step since its launch in the European Union, as the team prepares to bring its service to millions of new users across major global markets.
The announcement comes as AltStore secures $6 million in funding from Pace Capital to support its growth and global operations. The investment will allow the small two-person team, led by developers Riley Testut and Shane Gill, to hire more staff, finalize integration with the Fediverse, and accelerate international rollout. The company is also transitioning into a public benefit corporation to ensure long-term alignment with its mission of empowering developers to distribute apps freely on the open web.
AltStore first launched in the European Union in 2024 under the name AltStore PAL, following Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act that legalized third-party app stores on iOS. Initially, it debuted with two apps — Delta, a Nintendo emulator, and Clip, a clipboard manager. The platform has since grown to host over 100 self-published apps, including torrenting tools, virtual machine software, and games from Epic Games’ partnership with AltStore PAL.
With new regulatory frameworks emerging in Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the UK, AltStore aims to replicate its European success in regions where Apple is expected to loosen App Store restrictions. Developers in these countries will soon be able to distribute apps through AltStore once local laws supporting alternative marketplaces come into effect.
AltStore is also preparing to join the Fediverse by integrating ActivityPub, allowing users to interact with app updates, developer posts, and community discussions directly within the AltStore interface. This will make it the first federated app store, blending app distribution with decentralized social networking.
In addition to expansion and Fediverse integration, AltStore plans to use part of its new funding to contribute $500,000 to support open social web projects such as Mastodon, Bridgy Fed, and PeerTube. These contributions highlight the company’s vision of building an open, connected ecosystem that challenges Apple’s tight control over app distribution.
AltStore’s expansion and $6 million funding underscore the growing demand for alternative app marketplaces. As more countries adopt regulations similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, iPhone users could soon gain access to apps outside Apple’s ecosystem for the first time. For AltStore, this is not just a geographical expansion but a step toward redefining how apps reach users worldwide.
