Apple has begun allowing alternative app stores for iOS customers in Brazil, following an agreement with the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE), the country's competition regulator. The move, disclosed in December and now active, lets third-party marketplaces distribute apps for iPhone and iPad in Brazil, featuring a reduced fee structure and a streamlined review process.
Reduced Fees and Core Technology Fee
The main draw for developers is the lower commission on in-app purchases. For apps distributed outside the official App Store, the Core Technology Fee will be 5%, a significant cut from the standard 30% or 15% for small developers. This incentive aims to foster competition and offer cheaper alternatives for Brazilian users. However, alternative stores must be approved by Apple, and apps sold through them undergo a process called Notarization, a less thorough review than the traditional App Store review but still capable of catching malware, viruses, or other security threats.
Sponsored Protocol
Notarization: Balancing Security and Openness
Notarization represents a compromise: Apple maintains security control without imposing strict App Store guidelines. Developers wishing to test the new distribution features can install the latest iOS 27 developer beta, which includes updates for third-party store support. The system mirrors what Apple has already implemented in Europe to comply with the Digital Markets Act, showing how the company is gradually adapting its ecosystem to global antitrust demands.
Sponsored Protocol
Impact on the Brazilian Market
Brazil is one of Apple's most important markets in Latin America, and opening to third-party stores could boost local innovation. With a growing iOS user base, Brazilian developers can now distribute apps without paying high App Store fees, though they still must undergo Apple's Notarization. For consumers, this means more choice and potentially lower prices for apps and subscriptions. Yet the move is not without criticism: some experts fear Notarization may still limit alternative stores' freedom, while others note that the Core Technology Fee, though reduced, remains an added cost.
Sponsored Protocol
Comparison with Europe and Future Outlook
The Brazil initiative follows the approach already taken in the European Union, where Apple opened third-party stores in March 2024 to comply with the Digital Markets Act. In Europe, the Core Technology Fee is €0.50 per install beyond a one million threshold, while in Brazil it is a flat 5% fee. This difference reflects varying local regulations. Apple continues to defend its ecosystem's security, but pressure from competition authorities worldwide is slowly forcing the company to yield ground. For more on the evolution of the App Store, check Wikipedia's App Store page.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2197562/apple-opens-up-third-party-app-stores-in-brazil
