I find using app stores, either Apple’s one or Google Play, to be an unpleasent experience. They seem built to optimise “discovery”, as if people just launch the app store with the hope of getting a dopamine hit. Maybe people do this, and I’m the strange one, but usually I know what I want and I have to fight my way through the irrelevant or scummy apps shoved in my face on my way to the download page.

So count me as someone who prefers to get apps from the web. I generally find out about apps from there anyway, either directly (web-searches) or indirectly (via blogs or podcasts giving recommendations). The fact that I can go directly to an app’s app store page via a link is one saving grace with using app stores for distribution — although I also dislike managing installed apps via the app store too — but I’m someone who’s not only happy to, but actually prefers, just downloading and installing apps directly.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is: app developers, please keep making direct downloads available if you can. And also keep making websites for your apps.