I'm an iOS/macOS dev working on my first big desktop project, a 100% free and open-source live visuals / VJ app called Nottawa (https://nottawa.app).

It's always been my intention to use the App Store as the primary means of distributing the app. There are a lot of hurdles to get over, particularly with regards to file system access and the app sandboxing system. In general though, everything's working fine and the TestFlight beta is going well.

Last night I discovered that Syphon (https://syphon.github.io/), a really wonderful open source macOS SDK for sharing frames between applications (TouchDesigner, Resolume, OBS, etc.), is by design incompatible with the Apple's sandbox system. [1] This is functionality I'd really like, though not one that is fundamentally essential.

[1] https://github.com/syphon/syphon-framework/issues/10 and also https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/755911

Do other macOS developers find it to be worth jumping through the Apple hoops so you can distribute via the App Store? This app will be 100% free with no in-app-purchases or ads, so monetization isn't a concern here.

Alternatively, does anyone have experience maintaining an "official" release via the App Store and another "bleeding/experimental" release served as a downloadable .dmg from the homepage?

Would love to hear others thoughts.