AppGratis today announced that, after seven years of operations and more than 50 million app installs globally, it has shut down.

appgratis logo
The service offered hand-picked apps for free or up to 90% off on a daily basis through its website and Android app, and formerly through its iPhone app, but its popularity had seemingly faded over the years.

Apple removed AppGratis from the App Store in April 2013 as part of a broader crackdown on apps which might be "similar to or confusing with the App Store." AppGratis said it was "far from finished" despite the huge blow, and it went on to last nearly four more years until its shutdown today.

App discovery remains an issue on the App Store, which has some two million apps according to our sister website AppShopper. Last year, Apple introduced search ads on the App Store to help developers promote their apps, but the feature is not particularly helpful to those with limited marketing budgets.

(Thanks, Joe!)

Top Rated Comments

Kajje Avatar
110 months ago
I'm still using Appshopper today. A pitty there hasn't been any love to this app since a long time.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kajje Avatar
110 months ago
How did they make revenue offering free apps?
Industries best negotiators got them a significant commission on all sales. Sometimes 75% or even double that.
Business plan as solid as many similar startups in the valley.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cineplex Avatar
110 months ago
Another example of how Apple kills businesses it doesn't like. The old "confused consumer" nonsense. Apple just wants total control of everything for better or worse.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
110 months ago
This has been my daily app until apple penalized them and removed their ability to send notifications.
Then after updating to iOS 10 from 8, I could no longer launch the app without it freezing.
They did have the website which I visited but today it is the end.
Now there is no way a developer can promote their app apart from the app store.
For now I am using App Advice aka Apps Gone Free which is fair.
[doublepost=1487178076][/doublepost]
How did they make revenue offering free apps? Confused! Advertising presumably?
App developers could pay them to promote their app over other apps since they had a daily following.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smacrumon Avatar
110 months ago
Side note, Apple search ads is atrocious, rip off, and difficult to get results, even the customer service team isn't really all that helpful unfortunately. I get the feeling they don't even understand the platform themselves. Half baked and a dodgy way to turn the $99 annual developer fee into a $299 fee effectively.
Apple should look at the facebook/instagram model where it's easier to manage, able to spend just a few cents and at least you leave with the feeling ads are showing.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kstotlani Avatar
110 months ago
Wow, don't ever recall hearing of this app.
I used it a lot. Offered a lot of information on nice apps that were discounted for a limited time. After apple removed them from the AppStore they would send emails which was probably not as effective as daily notifications.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 May See 'Significant' Dynamic Island Changes

Monday July 14, 2025 12:11 am PDT by
The iPhone's Dynamic Island experience is set to undergo "significant evolution" over the next few years, according to a new rumor. Earlier this month, a report suggested that the iPhone 17 lineup will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, but little else was explained about the software changes. Now, the leaker known as "Majin Bu" appears to have corroborated this, commenting ...