Apple says that the App Store is not a monopoly thanks to web browsers
In discussing how a browser can be competition to the App Store, Apple said, “Web browsers are used not only as a distribution portal, but also as platforms themselves, hosting “progressive web applications” (PWAs) that eliminate the need to download a developer’s app through the App Store (or other means) at all. PWAs are increasingly available for and through mobile-based browsers and devices, including on iOS. PWAs are apps that are built using common web technology like HTML 5, but have the look, feel and functionality of a native app. They can even have an app icon that resides on the device home screen. Web apps are becoming increasingly popular. Companies such as Amazon, Google, Starbucks, Pinterest, Uber and the FT use web apps. Amazon, for example, has just launched its Luna mobile gaming service as a web app.2 Microsoft and Google are also launching gaming apps on iOS via web apps.3 The developer of the Telegram messaging app has also recently stated that it is working on a rich web app for iOS devices.”
While Android users are allowed to sideload apps, the Google Play Store is still being examined by the ACCC over the amount and type of data that the platform collects from users.