Since Apple changed its App Review Guide with the launch of iOS 6, the iPhone maker has booted a number of apps from the App Store for violating one or more of its clauses.  An early outcast was AppShopper, which got the boot back in September for violating clause 2.25 which reads that “Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected.”

The latest casualty is AppGratis, which also got booted off for violating clause 2.25 in addition to clause 5.6, which says that “Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind.”

The common denominator?  Both apps offer a new way to discover paid apps at an affordable cost, as the apps alerts users if popular apps go on sale.

Many iOS users find AppGratis and similar apps quite useful for app discovery, allowing a user to essentially “try before they buy.” Given the previous popularity of AppGratis, one can only wonder why Apple is just now kicking it out of the App Store.  Could it be AppGratis’ competing business model?

Senior managing editor Kristen Nicole feels that app discovery and recommendation services are key to Apple’s objectives with the App Store, as the marketplace only continues to grow in size.  Focusing on quality over quantity should be a priority for Apple and Google, as they structure their app marketplaces around individual users.  Nicole feels third party apps like AppGratis have proven a necessary development in the evolution of the mobile apps industry, some to the benefit of the developer, others bringing perks to the consumer.

See Nicole’s entire analysis below, and read on for three alternatives to AppGratis, now that it’s gone from the App Store.

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Top 3 alternatives to AppGratis

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TouchArcade – The Best New Games

TouchArcade offers app discovery, as well as allow users to put apps on a Watch List and notify them if apps have gone on sale.  The TouchArcade app also offers app review, news, hot new games, and forums.

App Map

This app discovery tool allows you to see the top apps used by other iOS users, as well as apps most commonly used by people near you, using GPS Location Services.  You can also see which apps your friends on Facebook, Twitter or other social networks are using to get a socially driven discovery and recommendation tool.

AppZapp – Free Paid Apps & Price Drops

This app notifies you when an app goes on sale, and offers paid apps for free.  It also offers detailed information about apps and sellers, and now features the App-Community, where you can see which apps your friends are using, as well as share apps with others.