Setapp is preparing to launch its own App Store for iOS.
This is good news as far as I am concerned. Competition is a good thing.
I know that there are security concerns, but to me the Mac has proven for decades that buying software without Apple being involved is possible and can be secure. And Apple has proven over and over again that scam apps are part of their store, too, in some cases for several years (DaringFireball.net).
Given the ongoing frustrations some customers and developers have with software updates and upgrades and handling SKUs on the AppStore (see GoodNotes 6 - new version, new payment models), I am looking forward to this materializing. I think that options apart from Apple will also mean that Apple will have to improve (or it will lose revenue).