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
Kajje
60 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
Kajje
60 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
Cineplex
60 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
JosephAW
60 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
smacrumon
60 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
kstotlani
60 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)
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