Apple Store alternatives
Users often seek alternatives to the Apple Store app due to issues with payment processing, slow loading times, and difficulties with order management. Alternatives like Amazon Shopping, Apple Wallet, and Google Chrome offer different strengths for various user needs.
Why users look for alternatives to Apple Store
- Users experience difficulties with payment updates and processing, sometimes leading to failed transactions or inability to use gift cards.R1R7R33R43
- The app can be slow to load, and users report issues with updating the app itself.R11R12R48
- There are complaints about order processing delays and confusion, with some orders not being processed as advertised.R13R40
- Some users find it difficult to locate specific apps or manage their installed applications, feeling pushed towards new downloads.R15R30
- The app may not work on older iOS versions, preventing users from shopping for new devices.R28
- Users express frustration with Apple's policies regarding app availability in certain regions or storage costs.R10R46
The alternatives
Spotify is a music streaming app that allows users to listen to music and podcasts, with many users finding it a great app for listening anytime and offering lots of skips on playlists with almost no ads R60.
Better for: Spotify is better for users who primarily want a dedicated music streaming service with a wide selection of songs and podcasts, especially those who appreciate having many skips and fewer ads on their playlists R60. However, some users find the free version has too many ads and the premium is expensive, while others report the app playing the same 20 songs repeatedly from large playlists R54R56.
Head-to-head: Apple Store vs SpotifyAmazon Shopping provides a platform for online purchases, with users praising its reliable service, great deals, and comfortable shopping experience .
Better for: Amazon Shopping is better for users who frequently shop online and value a consistent, reliable app with good deals . However, users report issues with customer service, the payment system, delivery, and the forced use of AI in search results R64R66R67R68.
Head-to-head: Apple Store vs Amazon ShoppingApple Wallet is an app for managing payment cards and passes, which users find useful for seeing all their cards and helping family and friends .
Better for: Apple Wallet is better for users who need a convenient way to store and manage their payment cards and passes, especially those who use Apple Card or Apple Pay frequently . However, some users report issues with receiving Apple Pay, verifying identity, and a lack of budgeting features R79.
Head-to-head: Apple Store vs Apple WalletThe Google app serves as a search engine and browser, helping users understand things and acting as a lifesaver for tasks like essays R94.
Better for: Google is better for users who need a powerful search engine for research and general information, with many finding it helpful and a true lifesaver for tasks like essays R94. However, some users dislike the app's AI integration, report issues with account creation, and find it can redirect to shady locations R93R95.
Head-to-head: Apple Store vs GoogleGoogle Chrome is a web browser that users find user-friendly and excellent for general browsing R108.
Better for: Google Chrome is better for users who need a reliable and user-friendly web browser R108. However, recent updates have caused frustration for some users due to unwanted AI integration, changes to tab management, and a lack of options to revert to previous versions R107.
Head-to-head: Apple Store vs Google ChromeYou should stick with the Apple Store app if you primarily use it for browsing Apple product models, finding specific apps, or if you generally find it easy to use for basic tasks .
Evidence note: All alternatives have sufficient reviews to draw conclusions.
Frequently asked
Why do users have trouble with payments in the Apple Store app?
Is the Apple Store app slow?
Can I use the Apple Store app on an old iPhone?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R1] Apple Store This app sucks: I’ve been trying to update my payment information for weeks and can’t and they haven’t been able to help me 😡
- [R7] Apple Store Very unethical in my opinion: Got price in app and then bought gift cards at grocery store (for fuel points) to make the purchase. App wouldn’t let me select pickup at store. Called support who said go to store. I did waste 4 hours of my time because store wouldn’t let me use gift cards either (ripped the laptop away from me) even though they verified the balance on their own website. Told me I co
- [R33] Apple Store Hi: It has been horrible! All of my transactions have never gone through!
- [R43] Apple Store THIS GAME IS TAKING MY MONEY!!!!!: I was supposed to get 45$ i got 39$ WHY ARE U STEALING APPLE? GIVE MY MONEY OR IM SUEING U! >:(
- [R11] Apple Store Weird: The app won’t let me update the new version and I can’t use it
- [R12] Apple Store Is ok I guess: It is alright but sometimes it takes forever for things to load personally I need something faster.
- [R48] Apple Store can't update: it is a good app till you can't update !!!!
- [R13] Apple Store Feedback for apple: The Apple Card and Apple Pay are confusing. Using email instead of text is Disgusting Whilst St., Journal said three years ago no one reads her email. I was at the Apple Store. I bought the iPhone online. It was confusing cause it said $40 for Verizon but then later I had to pay $40 to Verizon so now I’m looking for. The receipt because I originally ordered a yellow strap which
- [R40] Apple Store Orders: Placed an order and wasn’t even processed before the day it was supposed to be delivered. Taking a week and a half longer than advertised
- [R15] Apple Store It’s not helping: I can not find apps that i want
- [R30] Apple Store Surprisingly annoying to find installed apps: It would be nice if it was easier to find and manage the apps I have installed instead of all of the main options pushing you to new downloads. I usually end up going to pending updates to find my installed apps.
- [R28] Apple Store Why would the app not work on old ios: Trying to shop new iphone but the store is disabled for my ios version must update ios to use the apple store app. I am sure this affects millions of apple users looking to upgrade their older phones.
- [R10] Apple Store Cloud power miner not available in my country: Real app worked daily withdrawals reset now not available do to fecal made up policies appple owes partial refund for taking my choice and account in that app from me no they are not sorry fake conveluted garbage and developers are legit. policies to protect rich and wealthy Apple are trash thanks for acting like google play and screwing people Apple
- [R46] Apple Store Storage: I despise apple for making me delete photos because I have too much storage when I already deleted almost half of my camera roll. You people are greedy charging for extra storage, this is absolutely absurd and selfish- what has humanity come to that we have to pay just to keep our memories? Not only the memories but to keep our phone going, this is insane and I will not allow it not on my
- [R54] Spotify Too many ads: Spotify premium is way too expensive so I don’t have it but it’s so annoying how it says “30 mins of interrupted music” and it plays two songs and then 5 ads. It’s false advertising my songs typically last 3-4 mins so when two play it’ll only be like 6 or 8 mins and I’ll get 5 ads. It is so frustrating
- [R56] Spotify Plays same 20 songs: Have ver 1000 songs on my playlist so far and it keeps playing the same 20 songs over and over
- [R57] Spotify Going downhill fast: Every time I open the app there is some new fluff I need to click or scroll through. Lately, in car mode, Spotify will change what I am listening to after 30 seconds. Frustrating. The newly released podcasts playlist is all button, you must long press to scroll. Horrible UI!
- [R60] Spotify So fun: It's literally the best I can listen to it any time!!!
- [R64] Spotify PLEASE: SEND BARCELONA FC MORE MONEY PLEASE
- [R66] Amazon Shopping Read all of this: I don't get why you guys would sell stuff that is defective specifically electronics. I just don't get it. I mean yeah you have to keep the price around the same for how much you bought it for or what ever you guys do to get the stuff. But you guys basically are scamming people. Like don't just buy the first one you see. Actually work people and try and find electronics that work
- [R67] Amazon Shopping Prime days are becoming scam days :(: Amazon Prime days setup - 1. Interest free money - Buy something during prime days, it will take eternity to ship it even if they have items in stock and it can be delivered next day? 2. No human interaction anymore - chat is just one closed circle
- [R68] Amazon Shopping Brooooo: I can’t talk to the ai cuz I’m under 16. Amazon yall are idiots
- [R79] Apple Wallet Social Security and Date of Birth: Wires, Apple Cash, asking for my Social Security number, and date of birth just to receive money
- [R80] Apple Wallet Muy buena me encanta me avisan todo ,cuando ordeno algo me ayuda a estar alerta .: 🥰🥰🥰🥰
- [R81] Apple Wallet Chilupa: Do not like the fact that once u buy something the merchant can keep purchasing w/out consent
- [R82] Apple Wallet Order details and tracking number.: It would be nice to provide order number and tracking. Also I did not get order details in email as well.
- [R93] Google Read Aloud disappeared: To be honest, I don’t really like the Google app, I am just super used to safari and can’t change it but I heavily, HEAVILY, used it for the “Read Aloud” function (and it’s the only reason why I use the Google App). It was working just fine but the option suddenly disappeared the day before yesterday. I have already removed the app, reinstalled, removed shut down the phon
- [R94] Google Helpful!: It helps us understand things
- [R95] Google Difficult: Meant to make life easier, nope…redirects slow, takes you to shady locations and the longest route possible
- [R96] Google My friend google ai: It’s so kind and nice
- [R107] Google Chrome Scrolling Tab Groups: This is still an issue as of 7/9/26 - Taking away the ability to scroll through tab groups when you’re trying to add a link to the them was not a good decision. I can’t for the life of me think of any reason why anyone would think it was.
- [R108] Google Chrome Sketches of my life: Excellent
- [R110] Google Chrome TK: So far this sucks a big one
- [R112] Google Chrome NOT BAD: I don’t hate it but o don’t love it. My main issue is the home page, The news story’s and other things. That to narrow make wider. NOT BAD,
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store