Method comparison
Select an Apple app-installation route by cost, computer use, expiry, limits, review, and OS compatibility.
Arbitrary IPA installation
| Method | Computer | Lifecycle | Main limit | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paid Certificate | None | No refresh, commonly up to 1 year | Certificate revoke possible | No computer, no weekly refresh |
| AltStore Classic | Setup + refresh access | 7 days with free account | 3 apps, 10 App IDs | Established free workflow |
| SideStore | Initial setup | 7 days with free account | 3 apps, 10 App IDs | On-device refresh matters |
| Paid Developer account | Tool-dependent | Commonly up to 1 year | Annual membership/device policy | You want account control |
| Sideloadly | Mac/Windows, USB or Wi-Fi | 7 days free; longer paid | Account/profile limits | Direct install and logs |
| LiveContainer | Initial host setup | Host app must stay valid | Guest compatibility | Many apps in one host slot |
| TrollStore | Installer-dependent | Persistent | iOS 14.0 beta 2 to 16.6.1, 16.7 RC, 17.0 | Compatible old firmware |
| AppSync | Workflow-dependent | Jailbreak-dependent | Requires jailbreak | Device is already jailbroken |
Apple documents free Personal Team limits at three apps, ten App IDs, and seven-day profiles (Apple Developer).
Paid CertificatesFrom cert.fish: no computer, no weekly refresh. One purchase for one iPhone.Buy - £6.75
Apple-managed distribution
| Route | Review | Audience | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestFlight | Beta review for external testers | Invited/public-link testers | Pre-release testing |
| Unlisted App | Full App Review | Anyone with link | Public app without discovery |
| Custom App | Full App Review | Named organizations | Business/school distribution |
| Alternative marketplace | Apple notarization + marketplace policy | Eligible regions | Marketplace carries the app |
| EU Web Distribution | Apple notarization | Eligible EU users | Approved developer hosts own app |
| Ad hoc | No App Review | Registered devices | Small controlled test fleet |
| Enterprise/MDM | Organization responsibility | Employees/internal users | Eligible organization owns deployment |
Compare official routes in detail.
Selection rules
- Prefer App Store, TestFlight, or official alternative distribution when the app is available there.
- For free arbitrary-IPAs, choose AltStore for maturity, SideStore for computer-free refresh after setup, or Sideloadly for a direct desktop workflow.
- Use a paid account when ownership and capabilities justify annual cost.
- Use a certificate provider only after assessing identity custody, UDID handling, revocation, and replacement terms. Compare providers by price and replacement terms. If you use cert.fish for this, see what it supplies for this workflow.
- Use TrollStore only on the exact supported firmware.
- Add JIT only when the target app requires it. JIT is a separate runtime problem.
Quick recommendations
- Beginner: AltStore, SideStore, or a reputable registered-device certificate.
- App developer: Xcode, TestFlight, then the appropriate Apple distribution route.
- Organization: Custom Apps or MDM before Enterprise.
- Linux user: SideStore's supported installer path or maintained cross-platform tooling.
- Old compatible firmware: TrollStore, after verifying exact build and official installer.
- Many low-risk apps: LiveContainer, if its guest limitations are acceptable.