Apple, of course, is free to do whatever they want.

A fair and efficient market /s

Since side loading is a thing on macos this is a nonissue for the users, ios on the other hand... They're really only hampering adoption of the app store by placing ridiculous restrictions.

You can’t sideload NetworkExtension VPN apps on macOS, the entitlements for them to work are only distributed for App Store apps.

This is why you can’t download WireGuard from the WireGuard website. You have to identify yourself to Apple with an Apple ID (which requires a non-disposable email and working phone number) to download free privacy software.

> You can’t sideload NetworkExtension VPN apps on macOS, the entitlements for them to work are only distributed for App Store apps.

I'm not sure that's entirely true. It's really a matter of how the extension is packaged: app extension for App Store or system extension for Developer ID.

"On macOS most Network Extension provider types can be packaged as either an app extension or a system extension. App extensions run in a user context; if the user logs out, the provider is terminated. System extensions run in a global context, completely independent of the logged in user." https://developer.apple.com/documentation/technotes/tn3134-n...

It is the case that Safari web extensions are Mac App Store only, as opposed to Safari app extensions, which can be Developer ID.

I have to disagree with you here. Sideloading is either "too hard" or "too scary" for many users.

It's standard practice when installing things on macos. Although it's typically signed .dmg's

this is an example of a reddit comment on hacker news, there are many more every day