My main concern about releasing outside the app store is the security of licensing. The App Store takes care of that for you, but common licensing systems for Mac and Windows Desktop (like Nalpeiron) are quite expensive. And there would be significant developer time integrating them. Are there better alternatives? Perhaps it is not as hard as I imagine it to be to roll your own payment and licensing service?
The App Store is also good if you want to sell app subscriptions. That too would seem complicated to do on your own.
The App Store is also good if you want to sell app subscriptions. That too would seem complicated to do on your own.