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EU Opens New Horizons For App Innovation Under Digital Markets Act

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 23, 2026

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act is reshaping the app distribution landscape. The new regulation allows alternative app stores on Apple devices, fostering competition and empowering developers to explore innovative distribution channels outside the traditional App Store model.

Digital Markets Act Revolutionizes App Distribution

Under the DMA, developers in the EU can distribute apps through third-party marketplaces that comply with Apple’s notarization requirements, which focus on baseline platform security such as malware protection. These marketplaces operate independently from Apple’s centralized App Review system and manage their own policies, customer support, and refund processes.

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New Financial And Operational Terms

Developers using alternative marketplaces must accept Apple’s DMA business terms, including a Core Technology Fee of €0.50 per first annual install. The fee applies regardless of whether an app reaches one million installs. Despite these additional costs, some developers have already adopted alternative distribution channels.

Global Ripple Effects In App Markets

Regulatory changes in the EU are influencing other markets. In Japan, Apple’s compliance with the Mobile Software Competition Act has similarly expanded options for app distribution and external payment processing under revised commission structures and fees.

Spotlight On Leading Alternative App Stores

AltStore Pal (EU)

Co-created by Riley Testut, developer of the famed Nintendo game emulator app Delta, AltStore Pal is an officially sanctioned alternative marketplace in the EU. As an open source platform, it allows independent developers to self-host their apps. Applications are distributed by creating alternative distribution packets that users add manually, ensuring that the marketplace remains curated and secure.

Setapp Mobile (EU – Closed Feb. 2026)

MacPaw launched Setapp Mobile as one of the first alternative app stores under Apple’s DMA framework. The service closed in February 2026 after business conditions changed, but it introduced a subscription-based model focused on ad-free apps.

Epic Games Store (EU)

Epic Games, the force behind Fortnite, expanded its distribution strategy by launching an alternative iOS app store in the EU as early as August 2024. The move marked a significant pivot in a long-standing dispute with Apple, capitalizing on regulatory changes to reclaim market presence and offer gamers and developers a fresh alternative.

Aptoide (EU)

Renowned for its alternative approach on Android, Lisbon-based Aptoide has extended its open source app distribution model to iOS in the EU. The platform scans apps for safety compliance and operates on a commission-based revenue model for in-app purchases, reinforcing its position as a secure and innovative marketplace.

Mobivention Marketplace (EU)

Designed for business use, the Mobivention marketplace caters to companies looking to distribute internal apps securely. The platform offers customizable solutions that enable firms to create private app ecosystems, ensuring that proprietary applications remain outside the public App Store while maintaining high security standards.

Skich (EU)

Skich introduces a novel approach to app discovery with its Tinder-like interface that lets users swipe to find apps that match their interests. This interactive experience, paired with social features such as playlist creation and friend activity tracking, positions Skich as a disruptive force in the mobile app marketplace—a strategy actively promoted at events like the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

Onside (EU And Japan)

Operating in both the EU and Japan, Onside offers a competitive alternative by charging lower fees while ensuring robust security measures, including protection of payment details. Currently supporting bank card payments and Apple Pay, Onside plans to expand its payment methods further, appealing to developers and users seeking a transparent and user-friendly app store experience.

Conclusion

The emergence of alternative app stores under the DMA is expanding distribution models and increasing competition in the app marketplace. Developers now have additional options for reaching users outside Apple’s traditional ecosystem.

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NERDs Replace FIRE As Young Workers Lose Confidence In Retirement

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2026

The FIRE movement promised younger workers a path to financial independence and early retirement. Now, a different group is emerging in the UK: NERDs, or the “Never Ever Retiring Demographic.”

Growing pessimism among Gen Z and millennials is driving the shift, with many questioning whether retirement will ever be financially achievable. Some are responding by reducing or abandoning pension contributions altogether.

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Young Workers Are Losing Confidence In Retirement

Research from People’s Pension, a major UK workplace pension provider, found that 47% of Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 27 do not engage with their pension. Another 12%, equivalent to about 2.2 million young people, have stopped saving for retirement because they expect to work indefinitely.

Wider financial pressures are contributing to that outlook. High living costs have pushed milestones such as homeownership, marriage, having children and retirement further away for many younger workers, while inflation, layoffs and stagnant wages have added to uncertainty.

Pension Providers Face A Communication Gap

Financial pressure is only part of the problem. Young workers also say pension providers are failing to explain long-term saving in ways that feel relevant to them.

About 36% of respondents said providers do not explain retirement saving effectively. Among them, 27% said companies appear more focused on selling products than educating customers, while 16% cited complicated language and jargon.

A clear generational difference emerges in the responses. Some 29% of Gen Z respondents said providers fail to explain why pension saving matters, compared with 13% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Similarly, 17% of Gen Z said providers do not use channels they engage with, versus 4% among older generations.

Clearer information could influence behavior. About 70% of Gen Z respondents said they would have started saving earlier if they had known that beginning in their 20s could potentially double their retirement pot compared with starting in their 30s. Another 63% said learning about tax relief and employer contributions motivated them to save.

“In a world where financial doom dominates pension conversations, young savers are tuning out,” said Kirsty Ross, proposition director at People’s Pension. “Our research shows they are not disengaged because they don’t care, they are disengaged because the messages aren’t working.”

Young Savers Want Simpler Tools

Progress bars and goal trackers were among the most popular tools respondents said could make pensions more relevant, cited by 31%. Another 26% wanted reassurance that they could start with small amounts, while 23% wanted examples of what people their age are doing.

Clear, bite-sized steps were cited by 22%, while 19% said light-hearted and relatable stories could make pensions more accessible.

People’s Pension has responded with Pension Drop, a campaign using social media influencers, live events and lifestyle personalities to encourage conversations about retirement saving.

“Looking back, I really wish I’d started earlier,” said Iain Stirling, comedian, TV presenter and Pension Drop ambassador. He said contributions made in someone’s 20s or 30s can make a significant difference later, while employer contributions and tax relief can increase the value of smaller payments.

Small Changes Can Improve Long-Term Saving

Stirling urged younger workers to check their pension provider, establish whether they have multiple pension pots and make sure they are contributing enough to receive the full employer match.

He also recommended increasing contributions after a pay rise or bonus, allowing workers to raise long-term savings without making a large immediate change to their spending.

For younger workers facing high living costs and uncertain career prospects, pension saving remains a difficult sell. Clearer information about employer contributions, tax relief and the long-term effect of starting early could help make retirement planning more tangible.