At a Glance
- Setapp Mobile shuts down on February 16, 2026.
- EU iOS users lose a $9.99 monthly subscription alternative.
- Closure stems from Apple’s complex EU fee structure.
- Why it matters: Developers and consumers lose a viable marketplace in the EU.
Setapp Mobile, a Ukrainian-based alternative app store launched in September 2024, is shutting down as the company cites Apple’s evolving business terms as untenable.
Context
Setapp Mobile offered EU-based iOS users a $9.99 monthly subscription that unlocked access to dozens of apps across productivity, finance, video, photo, and creativity categories. The service required users to link an Apple ID registered in an EU member state.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) spurred the creation of alternative app stores in the EU, and Setapp Mobile was one of the first to emerge. It aimed to give developers and users a new ecosystem where both could thrive.
Apple’s Fee Structure
Apple recently revised its fee structure to avoid DMA penalties, but the changes added complexity rather than clarity.
- The new EU business terms include a Core Technology Fee that charges developers €0.50 for each first annual install over 1 million in the past 12 months.
- The fee applies only to installs that exceed the 1 million threshold, creating unpredictable revenue for developers.
- Setapp’s statement notes that these “still-evolving and complex business terms” make the platform’s business model unsustainable.
Setapp’s Decision
In a statement shared with News Of Philadelphia, Setapp explained that its mobile service was not viable under the current commercial conditions:
> “Setapp Mobile was a bold, breakthrough project that aimed to provide EU iOS users with access to alternative app marketplaces – creating a new app ecosystem where both developers and users could thrive. We are proud of what we have accomplished with it over the past two years and still believe passionately in this vision. As a result of still-evolving commercial conditions, we have determined that it is not viable to continue development or support for Setapp Mobile within Setapp’s current business model. While we are disappointed to discontinue Setapp Mobile and let down our user base and developer community in the EU, we are looking forward to pursuing the development of other innovations.”
The company confirmed that all applications will be removed from Setapp Mobile by the end of the sunset date, February 16, 2026. Applications available on Setapp Desktop will remain unaffected.
Impact on the EU App Ecosystem
The shutdown signals that running an alternative app store in the EU under Apple’s current fee regime may not be financially feasible. Developers cannot reliably plan growth or monetization when fees change unpredictably.
Other alternative stores continue to operate, such as:
| Store | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Epic Games Store | Fortnite developer | Operates in the EU with its own fee model |
| AltStore | Open-source | Provides a non-Apple-approved distribution channel |
Setapp’s exit may prompt further scrutiny of Apple’s EU compliance and could encourage developers to seek other distribution methods.
Key Takeaways
- Setapp Mobile will cease operations on February 16, 2026.
- The closure is driven by Apple’s complex EU fee structure, notably the €0.50 Core Technology Fee.
- EU iOS users lose a $9.99 subscription alternative, and developers lose a viable marketplace.
- Other EU alternative stores remain, but the overall ecosystem faces challenges under current Apple terms.
Looking Forward
Setapp has indicated it will pursue other innovations, suggesting the company remains committed to supporting developers and users, albeit through different channels. The industry will watch how Apple’s fee adjustments evolve and whether new models emerge to support EU-based app distribution.
