One of the EU’s first alternative software stores is closing down

One of the most popular software products that emerged in the EU as a result of the Digital Markets Act has been shut down. store, Setapp Mobilefrom Ukraine-based MacPaw, which was first launched in September 2024, offers a wide range of software in categories such as design, finance, video, photography, art, and more.

Its version offered consumers access to all of Setapp’s mobile apps for $9.99 a month, as long as the user’s Apple ID was linked to an EU member state.

Now, the company says that all apps will be removed from Setapp Mobile at the end of the sunset, February 16, 2026. Apps available on Setapp Desktop will not be affected, the company told TechCrunch.

News of the closure, it was announced Setup Help pagefirst seen by MacRumors.

MacPaw said “changing and complex businesses that don’t fit Setapp’s business” were the reason they made the decision.

The “hard business terms” described here are Apple’s fees for software operating under it. new business terms in the EU, which includes contradictions The price of Core Technology shares which pays developers €0.50 for the first annual installation of more than one million in the previous 12 months.

The giant revised its payment system last year to avoid further penalties for non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), but instead of easing the fines, it made them more difficult.

One result of this constant change is that software developers cannot properly plan how to grow and monetize their business. It also shows the fees, as they are, do not make running another app store in the EU a viable option.

In a statement shared with TechCrunch, Setapp said it found that its business was not “functional,” as the business was changing. The text reads:

“Setapp Mobile was a bold and successful project that aimed to give EU iOS users access to other software markets – creating a new app where developers and users can thrive. We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past two years and we still believe in this vision. Although we are disappointed to discontinue Setapp Mobile and reduce our users and our team of developers in the EU, we look forward to pursuing new opportunities.

There is other app stores operating in the EUincluding, especially, and Epic Games Store from the developer of Fortniteand Open source AltStore.