Setapp Mobile to shut down EU iOS app marketplace in February 2026

Setapp Mobile will discontinue its iOS alternative app marketplace in the European Union next month, marking one of the earliest exits from Apple’s newly opened alternative app distribution framework under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Launched in 2024 by MacPaw, Setapp Mobile was introduced as a subscription-based alternative app store for iOS users in the EU, offering curated third-party apps outside Apple’s native App Store. The service aimed to replicate Setapp’s long-running macOS subscription model, where users pay a monthly fee for access to a bundle of applications.

MacPaw confirmed that Setapp Mobile will cease operations in February 2026. Existing users will retain access to their installed apps until the shutdown date, after which the platform will no longer be supported. The company said it plans to refocus resources on its core macOS Setapp product and other software initiatives.

The closure comes less than two years after Apple was required to allow alternative app stores on iOS in the EU, following regulatory pressure under the DMA. While the policy change opened the door for competing marketplaces, adoption has remained limited, with high compliance costs, technical complexity, and Apple’s Core Technology Fee frequently cited as barriers to sustainability.

Setapp Mobile operated on a subscription model rather than individual app purchases, differentiating it from traditional app stores. However, developers still faced challenges related to distribution requirements, ongoing fees, and limited consumer awareness of alternative marketplaces.

The decision to shut down the service highlights early signs of consolidation and retreat within the EU’s alternative iOS app distribution landscape. While Apple’s ecosystem is now legally open to competition, the commercial viability of third-party app stores remains uncertain.

MacPaw has not indicated plans to reintroduce Setapp Mobile in other markets, noting that alternative app stores are currently only permitted on iOS within the EU. The company stated it will continue monitoring regulatory developments but does not expect near-term changes that would alter its decision.