AltStore PAL review
A regional iOS marketplace for notarized apps, source discovery, and permission alerts.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
AltStore PAL is an alternative marketplace for iOS and iPadOS users who want to discover and install notarized apps from developers beyond the standard app catalog. It is currently available to eligible users in the European Union, Japan, and Brazil. Access also depends on a supported regional App Store account, physical presence in a supported region, and iOS or iPadOS 18.0 or later, so it is not a fit for every device or location.
Discovery combines a browseable catalog of apps from verified developers with the option to add third-party sources by URL. Federated sources can also surface apps through explore.alt.store. App pages display permissions, and AltStore PAL alerts users when an app's permissions change. Installation does not require a computer. This emphasis on source-based discovery and permission visibility may suit users who want a more open route to notarized apps, while the regional and operating-system requirements narrow its reach.
Developers can register their Developer ID and process app packages using a REST API; publishing involves preparing a source with app information through AltStore's developer resources. That makes the product relevant to developers publishing for this ecosystem as well as people browsing apps. AltStore PAL is open source, with email and documentation support and GDPR listed as a compliance measure. Choose it if you meet the regional requirements and value third-party iOS app discovery; choose another marketplace if you need broad platform coverage or access outside its supported regions.
AltStore PAL pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Browse apps from verified developers and add sources by URL
- Install notarized apps without a computer
- See app permissions and get alerts when they change
- Where it doesn't
- Limited to eligible users in supported regions
- Requires iOS or iPadOS 18.0 or later
- Focused on iOS rather than broader app-store platforms
AltStore PAL fact sheet, pricing and score →
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