>> Plus signing up and paying for a developer ID.
Signing your app and distributing it outside of the Mac app store does not require a paid developer ID.
Signing your app and distributing it outside of the Mac app store does not require a paid developer ID.
What’s the point of Gatekeeper if getting a new certificate is free? Once your malware is blacklisted you could just use the next one at no cost.
Note that I will concede that it is extremely stupid and greedy of Apple to require a paid account for notarizing apps, particularly free apps, because it is in their best interest if more applications would be notarized, and they are not particularly hurt for cash either. It's inexplicable TBO. But that doesn't mean you cannot install signed but non-notarized apps without a paid developer account.