[Terretta]

> I also like being able to run my own software on my own devices.

And you can. Visit http://forecast.io from iOS Safari and add the icon to your home screen, then run that.

This is the app distribution method Jobs tried to sell developers on. Developers mostly don't want want it.

Of course, you can also run your literally own apps, native apps, by installing them yourself. You only need the App Store to sell them.

Finally, you can set up your own distribution platform. See TestFlight.